Co-op has announced plans to launch 24 new and transformed stores by the end of June 2026, strengthening its presence on high streets and in local communities across Britain.
The expansion includes:
- New convenience stores
- Refurbished locations reopening after major investment
- New franchise sites across universities, hospitals and petrol forecourts
The latest openings follow 18 stores launched during Q1 2026, taking the total number of new and upgraded Co-op stores in the first half of the year to more than 40.
Co-op targets towns, villages and city communities across the UK
The investment programme stretches from the south coast of England to the Scottish Highlands, with stores opening in locations including:
- Cumbria
- Gloucestershire
- Kent
- London
- The Midlands
- Nottinghamshire
- Yorkshire
- Scotland
Co-op said the strategy is designed to strengthen local shopping access while supporting community-focused retail in both urban and rural areas.
New Co-op stores designed as community hubs
Co-op says its convenience stores are evolving beyond traditional grocery retail, offering a wider mix of services tailored to local needs.
Features available in many stores include:
- Fresh food and meal solutions
- Coffee-to-go
- Parcel collection services
- Payment services
- Rapid grocery delivery
- Online order collection
- Soft plastic recycling points
The retailer says its stores are intended to act as “anchor” locations within local communities.
Franchise expansion to accelerate in 2026
Co-op is also rapidly growing its franchise operation.
The business operated 65 franchise stores at the end of 2025 and plans to exceed 100 franchise locations during 2026.
New franchise locations include:
- University campuses
- Hospitals
- Petrol forecourts
The model allows Co-op to expand into high-footfall locations while bringing member benefits to new customer groups.
Quick commerce growth boosts local stores
Co-op says around 90% of the UK population can now access its grocery delivery services through:
- Co-op’s online shop
- Just Eat
- Deliveroo
- Uber Eats
Orders are picked directly from local stores, allowing physical branches to benefit from rising online demand while supporting faster neighbourhood deliveries.
Kate McCrae, Operations Director at Co-op, said the retailer is focused on creating stores that “serve and support communities conveniently.”
She added that local shops remain central to community life and said Co-op’s investment programme is designed to strengthen its presence across UK high streets throughout 2026.
Member pricing and British sourcing remain central to strategy
Co-op highlighted ongoing member pricing initiatives, with exclusive discounts available across stores for its more than 7 million members.
The retailer also reaffirmed its commitment to British agriculture, stating that all own-brand fresh and frozen meat products are 100% British.
Recommended reading:
- HMRC £12,570 personal allowance rules explained for 2026 and what it means for you
- Shoppers could pay less at Tesco after new Aldi price matches reach Express stores
- Tesco and Barclays customers urged to check bank statements for new cashback payment
Soft plastic recycling available in stores
Many Co-op stores now offer soft plastic recycling facilities for materials often excluded from household collections, including:
- Crisp packets
- Bread bags
- Biscuit wrappers
- Ready meal lids
- Pet food pouches
The initiative forms part of the retailer’s wider sustainability programme.
Full list of new and refurbished Co-op stores opening before the end of June 2026
- Innerleithen, Scottish Borders (EH44)
- Pickering, Yorkshire (YO18)
- Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire (AB42)
- Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland (NE64)
- Haxby, Yorkshire (YO32)
- Matlock, Derbyshire (DE4)
- Bishopston, Bristol (BS7)
- Bridgwater, Somerset (TA6)
- Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria (LA11)
- Birmingham University Centre, West Midlands (B15)
- Wood Green, London (N8)
- Stepps, Glasgow (G33)
- Lechlade, Gloucestershire (GL7)
- Earl’s Court, London (SW5)
- Lydney, Gloucestershire (GL15)
- Callerton, Tyne and Wear (NE5)
- Ashford, Kent (TN24)
- Newhaw, Surrey (KT15)
- Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire (DY14)
- Didcot, Oxfordshire (OX11) – two stores
- Rendlesham, Suffolk (IP12)
- Trent Bridge, Nottinghamshire (NG2)
- Wombourne, Staffordshire (WV5)
- Wynyard, County Durham (TS22)
18 Co-op stores already opened in 2026
Stores already launched earlier this year include:
- Ealing, London
- Didcot, Oxfordshire
- Eastern Green, Coventry
- Cove, Hampshire
- Deal, Kent
- Totton, Hampshire
- Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire
- Killearn, Stirlingshire
- Sidmouth, Devon
- Straits Parade, Gloucestershire
- Westgate, Lancashire
- Saltdean, East Sussex
- Tarbert, Argyll and Bute
- Worle, Somerset
- Marske, North Yorkshire
- Norton Heath, Essex
- Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire
- Cuckfield, Sussex
Share