Cockfield co-op store reopened on Thursday after a £220,000 revamp.
Modern décor, new shelving, flooring and refrigeration plus a more ‘shopper friendly’ layout, BUT, same old classical music playing outside!
Store manager Shaun McGrath said, “The emphasis will be on chilled and fresh foods with a 20 per cent increase in the range.
There will also be double the selection of in-store baked breads and pastries, and chilled beers and wines will be available for the first time”
Popular services including the lottery and Paypoint will be retained.
Mr McGrath went on to say; “We provide a much valued service for the village and I am confident our shoppers will be delighted with our improved store and wider selection of goods which will better meet all their daily grocery needs."
I’m sure we will Shaun and I know that ALL of your staff do a fantastic job with a smile on their faces, but there are just a couple of points I’d like to see an improvement on.
Firstly, during ‘busy periods’, lets have BOTH tills on. You can queue for that long that your clothes go out of fashion AND come back in again!
Secondly, let’s have a re-think on the ‘classical music’ playing outside. It clearly doesn’t work on deterring the kids from loitering, like moths to the light, after dark. I know it’s probably company policy and not something individual managers have much say on but what about trying the ‘Mosquito’?
The Mosquito is a device that repels troublemakers.
Here is the BBC's - Wiltshire - assessment of it…
A device emitting a sound wave which is designed to drive young troublemakers away from a problem area of Swindon has been hailed as a success.
The 'Mosquito' sonic deterrent device was installed by the Wyvern Theatre in an attempt to stop groups of up to 100 youngsters from gathering around Theatre Square.
It was named the 'Mosquito' because the sound resembles that of a buzzing insect. And it works by emitting a harmless ultra sonic tone that generally can only be heard by people aged 25 and under. In trials, it has proven that the longer someone is exposed to the sound, the more annoying it becomes.
Crime Reduction Officer Bob Walton elaborated further: "Effectively, it's a transmitter which sends out a specialised frequency noise which according to the manufacture is particularly audible to young people under the age of 25.
He said: "I'm in my fifties and when it's turned on all I can hear is a very faint buzz. But I understand from young people who have been exposed to the noise, it is very annoying."
Swindon's anti-social behaviour co-ordinator Cheri Wright says it is working well.
She said: "We had a meeting with local retailers around here - after it had been installed for around three weeks - and feedback was really positive.
"Everyone was saying there has been a marked reduction in criminal damage and problems with the shops, so they've really welcomed it."
Let’s hope eh?
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