1 week Ago By [email protected] (Ewan Malcolm)
A major supermarket chain has apologised for any “inconvenience” it may have caused by closing a shop in a rural village. The Co-op in Aberlour has closed until December 5 to allow for a programme of improvements to be carried out. The “major makeover” is being carried out so the shop can “better serve and support the community” according to the food retailer.
Once complete, the new-look store will offer an extended range of fresh produce, new back of shop storage facilities as well as extra tills which will provide added convenience during busier times. A spokesperson for Co-op said: “We are pleased to have an opportunity to invest in Aberlour to enhance and improve the community’s Co-op store. “We are, however, also sorry for any inconvenience caused during the store’s temporary closure.
“The changes to the store will enable Co-op to better serve and support the community, and provide an enhanced range of fresh produce. “We look forward to welcoming our members and customers back into their Co-op when we conclude the programme of works and improvements.” The Co-op is the only shop in the village that remains open past 5pm that also provides everyday essentials.
That has seen some residents raise concerns about losing the store until later this winter when the weather can become adverse making travelling outwith the village difficult at times. One resident told The Northern Scot: “I’m not sure how some people will get essentials after 5pm because some people don’t drive or can’t drive. “I’d imagine some people will be pretty frustrated.
” To ease some of these concerns, Co-op will install a “pop-up” shop near the village’s tennis courts which will continue to provide essentials. But a date is yet to be officially confirmed as to when this will be in place. Another Aberlour resident said: “I would have expected that the pop-up would have been in place as soon as the store closed.
“People who are elderly or can’t drive, this must be a huge inconvenience but I don’t know why the pop-up has been delayed. “It’s just a case of waiting to see what happens at the moment.”.
