New Bamber Bridge Co-op FINALLY gets opening date - three years after plans were approved

The retailer confirmed it was building a new £700,000 store on the site of the former Grosvenor Garage in Chorley Road back in 2021.

The plans were passed by South Ribble Borough Council in August 2021, with work starting in November of that year. There were two objections to the plans, citing concerns over noise, loss of privacy and increased traffic. Comments in support, stated a need for a shop closer to the Holland House Estate and that the store would benefit the wider area "massively".

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At that time, Co-op said they expected the shop to open “in the second half of 2022”, but the work has been beset with unknown delays. Now fencing around the site is covered in banners proclaiming it will finally open on Friday, July 26, to be known as Pear Tree Co-op.

Frustrated locals have been keen for the shop to open, and have taken to social media to spread the word about the long-awaited date.

What will it be like?

Co-op have been approached for an update on the store, but have not responded. From what it known from 2021, the store will be constructed in red brick, with grey roof tiles, grey timber cladding and window. There will be 12 parking spaces to the eastern side, a cash machine at the front of the shop, and it will be open from 6am to 11pm daily.

It was expected that the new store would be powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity and would create 15 new jobs.