A NEW Co-op food store is to open its doors at a Chester village tomorrow (Friday, March 26).

The new store in Old Hall Street, Malpas, follows a more than £1m investment, supporting 17 local jobs.

The 2,600 sq ft convenience store will run on 100 per cent renewable electricity, and will feature an electric vehicle charging point.

It has been built on the site of the former Malpas Garage petrol station.

Co-op’s new store includes customer car parking, bakery, Costa Coffee express and Amazon Click & Collect, alongside an enhanced focus on fresh, healthy products, meal ideas, sandwiches and food-to-go, ready meals, pizzas and, every-day grocery essentials.

The store also includes energy efficient refrigeration, self-service tills, and a 'living wall' on the exterior of the building designed to provide a valuable habitat for insects, birds and pollinators.

A funding boost is provided locally through Co-op’s Membership scheme.

Michelle Winrow, Co-op store manager, said: “The store has a great look – it has been a fantastic opportunity to carry out such a significant investment to serve the Malpas community.

"Reducing our environmental impact is always a top priority and we have been able to build a number of features into our new store including our refrigeration, electric charging point and living wall that make a real difference.

"We are looking forward to welcoming customers into their new-look store – we have worked to develop the range, choice, products and services locally that will create a really compelling offer in the community.”