Work to begin on new East of England Co-op store at Ipswich station next week

Why it matters: The 1,500 sq. ft. outlet marks another milestone in the East of England Co-op's ambitious growth plans.

What's new: Contractors will be on site from 10 March to build the store, which is expected to open in early summer.

The details:

• This will be East of England Co-op's first completely paperless and fully cashless store, offering a seamless, modern shopping experience.
• Customers will find two Barista Coffee-to-Go machines, a fresh in-store bakery and a Fwip Ice Cream dispenser.
• The store will limit alcohol sales on home and away match days in agreement with Suffolk Police.

What they're saying: "We're thrilled to begin work on our new store at Ipswich Train Station, right in the heart of the town. This location is a fantastic opportunity for us to serve commuters, visitors, and the local community with the convenience and quality they expect from the East of England Co-op," said Andy Rigby, Acting Chief Executive Officer.

For context: East of England Co-op operates over 120 food stores across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire and is independent of the national Co-op Group and other regional co-operatives.

By the numbers: The member-owned retailer has donated over £1 million to good causes in East Anglia over the last three years.

The bottom line: The new station store strengthens East of England Co-op's presence in Ipswich town centre, bringing convenient shopping options to a busy transport hub while maintaining its community-focused approach to retail.