A new Co-op store has been officially opened at Keele University’s Students’ Union, following an opening ceremony on campus.

The new on-campus store on Union Square was officially opened by Vice-Chancellor Professor Trevor McMillan, and Keele SU Union Democracy and Development Officer Holly Brooks, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.

The new store is a Co-op franchise operated and run by Keele SU and will serve the campus and local community throughout the year. The store is 27% larger than the previous on-campus store, featuring 12 self-service checkouts, a bakery/hot food section and has created 25 new jobs.

The store will stock a tailored range of great value and quality Co-op own brand products, with a wide range of Fairtrade, free-from and vegan options. The store will also serve Co-op's new hot drinks brand, Everground, with all tea, coffee, hot chocolate and sugar being Fairtrade.

Holly Brooks, Keele SU’s Union Development and Democracy Officer, said: “I'm super excited to announce the launch of Keele SU’s Co-op, focussed on sustainability, connecting communities and ethics. I believe the Co-op will provide a shop that's made for Keele students, with a variety of healthy, fresh, affordable food; addressing issues some students have raised. I'm also excited to try Co-op’s growing vegetarian and vegan range, and work with them on green projects!”

Professor Trevor McMillan, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University added: “This new addition to our retail offer is just part of the excellent on-campus experience that we provide for our students, and is testament to the positive partnership between the University and the Students’ Union. Having a range of exciting food and retail options is just one way that we ensure our students have everything they need on campus, and as such I'm delighted to welcome the Co-op to Keele."

This new store will bring both value to the campus experience and people's pockets, with Co-op being the only grocer to offer an exclusive 10% student discount to TOTUM card holders.

The store also aligns with Keele’s priorities of embedding sustainability across all campus operations, thanks to sustainability initiatives like their bread bag recycling scheme.