Consumer co-operative Scotmid has officially launched the new look of its Leven Street store in Edinburgh, which has undergone a major refurbishment.
The store, which was heralded as Scotland’s first ‘supermarket’ in 1959, remained open throughout the design and build phase, allowing customers to shop.
The revamp has seen the partial demolition of the existing buildings on the site and the full construction of a new retail shell. Inside the store, several new food and drink concepts have been introduced, including a refill counter for dried goods and a Scotmid ‘first’ – a walk in chilled wine and beer cellar.
“The official opening of our new look store marks the end of a journey that began before the first lockdown. We are thrilled to bring an extended offering and brand new products to our customers. The feedback we’ve had has been overwhelmingly positive,” commented Scott Graham, store manager at Leven Street, said.
The store has relaunched its food to go offer in a new concept called the Kitchen Island, which provides customers with ready-made hot and cold food, pastries, sandwiches, snacks, pizza, noodles and various hot and cold drinks – with changing food choices to cater for breakfast, lunch and evening meal options.
A range of products from two local suppliers –Artisan Cheesecake and Kilted Donut – has also joined the line-up.
The Leven Street store is of special significance to Scotmid, as its predecessor St Cuthbert’s Co-Operative Society was established in 1859 just around the corner.
To mark the occasion, Scotmid has donated £500 to the nearby Kings Theatre as part of the venue’s ‘name a step’ campaign, which sets out to aid work into making the premises accessible to all and to creating a welcoming community space with improved facilities.
