New Welcome store opens in Taunton

A new convenience store under the Welcome brand, Southern Co-op’s franchise division, is set to open its doors tomorrow (21 April).

Store owner and franchisee Dilan Patel worked closely with the consumer co-operative to create the ‘mission-led’ store layout, encouraging ‘meal-for-tonight’ purchases. The store also includes a food-to-go area including Rollover hot dogs alongside grab-and-go sustainable and ethical Smokin’ Bean Coffee and ‘Sir Lush’ slush machines.

The 3,000 sq. ft. store follows a £300,000 investment in the Somerset town and has created nine jobs in both full- and part-time roles.

Patel, who is a former Taunton School pupil, is committed to giving back to Taunton by looking at co-locating a Post Office within the new store as his father is already subpostmaster of Post Offices in Staplegrove and Priorswood.

“Our focus has been to get the new store up and running as quickly as possible, ensuring we service the needs of our customers,” he said.

“The support we’ve already had from local people has been amazing. The addition of a Post Office inside our Taunton store, just off the high street, with parking available, would make it easier for working people to access services, and they will be able to pick up plenty of deals at the same time.”

The store will be Patel’s fourth store, having previously worked in partnership with Southern Co-op in London and worked on a refurbishment of his father’s store in the Taunton village of Staplegrove.

He has also taken every step to ensure a ‘Covid Safe’ shopping experience for customers. The team will be conducting frequent Covid safety checks, Covid Audits and Covid risk assessments using a checklist built by experts.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the finished store. It’s a fantastic working environment for staff and it’s great for customers. It’s been worth the investment and the hard work that’s gone into it and now hopefully we will see the rewards,” Patel said.

The new store will be open seven days a week, from 7am to 10pm.