The move is in line with ESS’ commitment to enhancing the lived experience of service personnel and the wider Defence community, by mirroring what customers are used to seeing. The product range has been tailored to reflect the population on site, which includes military personnel, civil servants and contractors.
The store, which operates as a Co-op franchise, provides hot and cold food to go options and a food-for-later offer alongside the fresh grocery lines for which Co-op is well known.
Costa hot beverages are available via two self-serve machines, complemented by Co-op’s bakery range. There are also non-food items including household essentials.
Captain Tim Davey, commanding officer at HMS Collingwood, commented: “I was absolutely delighted to be part of the opening ceremony of the new Co-op store in HMS Collingwood.
“The combined teams from ESS, Co-op and DIO, and many more here, have worked tirelessly to deliver an exciting new store with minimal disruption and it will certainly help to improve the lived experience and choices for the entire workforce in Collingwood.”
Co-op is also committed to supporting UK farmers, growers and suppliers, with all of its fresh and frozen meat and poultry, including in its own-brand ready meals, pies and freshly prepared sandwiches, which are a 100% British.
Martin Rogers, director of partnership development at Co-op, added: “We are delighted to be working with ESS, it forms part of our overall growth plans where franchise is a key priority for us as we work to bring Co-op to more communities.
“We are proud to open a store in HMS Collingwood – it is an exciting development and a first for Co-op, illustrating how we can achieve our franchise growth ambitions by working closely with quality partners and sharing our convenience expertise across a range of new and diverse sectors.”