THE East of England Co-operative Society has completed a £135,000 programme of improvements at its Food Store in Dedham High Street.The shop has been a Co-op store since the early 1940s and the recent work involved complete redecoration and redesign of the interior layout to incorporate new slim-line refrigeration giving more space in the aisles.

THE East of England Co-operative Society has completed a £135,000 programme of improvements at its Food Store in Dedham High Street.

The shop has been a Co-op store since the early 1940s and the recent work involved complete redecoration and redesign of the interior layout to incorporate new slim-line refrigeration giving more space in the aisles.

The work also included the installation of a new till system and checkout counter as well as new chilled produce units and energy efficient lighting throughout the store, and a new staff room for employees.

However, the traditional shop front of the Grade II* listed building has been retained, including the original “High Class Co-operative Grocers” fascia. The society's joinery workshop also replaced the old sash windows on the first floor in keeping with the original window frames.

The internal changes have enabled an additional range of goods to be stocked in the store, including a larger variety of locally sourced products from Tastes of Anglia, which the society says have been well received by both customers and employees.

The investment in the Dedham store is part of on ongoing development programme across the East of England Co-op's trading area involving the refurbishment and re-branding existing stores, and new developments.