An Ipswich-based regional retail chain is celebrating after reaching the finals of The Grocer Gold Awards 2018 for its ground-breaking work in selling food after its Best Before date in order to cut food waste.

The East of England Co-op launched The Co-op Guide to Dating in December 2017, taking the industry by storm by selling products such as tinned goods and packets for a nominal 10p for up to a month past their Best Before. Typically, most are sold within days or even hours of being reduced.

Roger Grosvenor, joint chief executive at the East of England Co-op, said: “To be recognised as a finalist among other leading retailers in the UK is tremendous and a fantastic way to celebrate the East of England Co-op’s 150th birthday.”

The awards takes place in London on June 12.