A FORMER Co-op department store is ready to reopen, complete with the majority of its old workforce.
The Stowmarket store in Tavern Street closed earlier this year after being taken over in 2009 by Vergo.
But now it has been rebranded and, after a special fundraising preview session this morning, will reopen on Saturday.
The man behind the project is Kevin Baldwin, who worked for the East of England Co-op and Vergo for 26 years, eventually becoming retail regional controller and head of buying.
Mr Baldwin has secured investment for the project and is set to relaunch Stowmarket’s 6,000 sq ft department store as Baldwins of Stowmarket, with 75% of the store’s old staff.
There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning, overseen by mayor Poppy Robinson, in aid of the Royal British Legion’s poppy appeal ahead of the official opening on Saturday morning at 9am.
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