Co-op opens new site at Keele University

Co-op has signed its next university franchise store, with a shop set to open at Keele University, Newcastle in September.

The new store, which will be managed and run by Keele University Students’ Union, will serve its students, staff and local community.

Co-op said it will stock its own brand products, as well as a wide range of Fairtrade, free-from and vegan options, and it will also offer a 10% student discount to TOTUM card holders.

With university stores already operating at Leeds, Kent, Newcastle, Oxford Brookes and Stirling, Keele is the seventh Co-op franchise store to open across six universities. 

Martin Rogers, head of new channels at Co-op, said: “Our university franchise stores are a great opportunity for us to grow our brand, share our values, and get our products into the hands of the next generation of customers and members.”

Phil Butters, director of estates and development at Keele University, added: “As a residential campus, our retail offer is an important part of us being able to provide a quality experience for our students and wider campus community. 

“We continually review the services that we offer and are delighted to be forming this new partnership with the Students’ Union and the Co-op.”