SETTLE school children and town mayor Daniele Balsathini carried out the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Co-op’s new look petrol filling station and food store.

The Whitefriars site on Church Street has undergone a £1.4 million overhaul which has seen replacement of tanks, pumps and signage and reopened today (Thursday).

The store, which runs entirely on renewable energy, now offers a range of fresh, healthy foods, hot food, meal ideas, award winning wine and also Costa coffee and ‘food to go’.

Rachel Hall, Co-op area manager, said: “We’re delighted to have undertaken such a significant investment and are confident that the improvements will enable us to better serve our community and the many tourists who visit us so frequently.

“The Co-op is moving forward with a clear purpose and momentum. Our ambition is to ensure the store is a local hub, a real asset for the community.

“We also want shoppers to know that they can become a co-owner and member of their Co-op. And, that we are also giving back to the community. Our members make a difference locally, simply by swiping their membership card when they shop with us they are raising much needed funding for organisations in their area who contribute to improving local life.”