Co-op has confirmed 18 new and newly refurbished stores will open in the first three months of the year, signalling a confident push into communities at a time when many high streets are still fighting for survival.
The first brand-new Co-op of 2026 opens in Willowbrook Park, Didcot, serving a growing neighbourhood.
From there, the openings stretch from Sussex to Stirling, combining fresh sites with stores reopening after major investment designed to modernise layouts, expand food ranges and improve services.
This is not just about square footage. Co-op is doubling down on food-led convenience, with stores acting as local hubs rather than just places to grab milk.
Shoppers can expect bakery counters, coffee, Fairtrade staples and a strong emphasis on fresh, healthy produce.
January has already seen the launch of its Served Taste of Asia range and a new Good Fuel line, including own-brand weight-loss jab friendly meals.
Kate McCrae, Co-op’s operations director, summed up the ambition: “We’re focussed on creating local stores which are more than just a shop – they are a hub locally that contribute to local life and conveniently meet the needs of communities.”
New or transformed Co-op stores opening before April 2026
- Ealing, London
- Didcot, Kilburn Place, Oxfordshire
- Eastern Green, Coventry, West Midlands
- Cove, Fernhill Road, Hampshire
- Totton, Southampton, Hampshire
- Deal, Kent
- Killearn, Main Street, Stirling, Scotland
- Farnsfield, Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire
- Sidmouth, Devon
- Straits Parade, Fishponds, Bristol
- Saltdean, Lustrells Vale, Brighton, East Sussex
- Westgate, Skelmersdale, Lancashire
- Marske, High Street, North Yorkshire
- Worle, High Street, Somerset
- Tarbert, Argyll, Scotland
- Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire
- Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire
- Cuckfield, Whitemans Green, West Sussex
Around 86% of the UK population can now access Co-op groceries online, with local stores picking orders for rapid delivery via partners such as Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat, ensuring online shopping still supports the high street.
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