A NEWLY refurbished Co-op supermarket has been reopened in Banbury.

Local nurses from the Katharine House Hospice officially welcomed customers back into the Hanwell Fields branch of the supermarket chain last week.

In recent weeks the store on Rotary Way has been closed for a £350,000 overhaul.

The makeover has seen the sales floor increase to 2,775 square feet to make way for a new community zone, self-scan tills and an extended product range.

Eco-friendly features, including LED lighting and energy efficient refrigerators have been installed to help the store reduce emissions.

Three new members of staff have also been recruited.

More than 50 new locally-produced beers and ales will now be stocked as part of the store’s ‘Best of our counties’ range which showcases 125 food and drink products from local suppliers.

Jo Green, store manager at The Midcounties Co-operative Food in Hanwell Fields, said: “It was great to have the team at Katharine House Hospice unveil our improved store on Rotary Way and welcome customers through the doors.

“We’re pleased to be supporting even more local suppliers with our increased ‘Best of Our Counties’ range, and reducing our carbon footprint with the store’s new eco-friendly features.”

Co-operative runs 72 outlets in Oxfordshire: 38 food stores, 13 funeral homes, 10 Post Offices, three travel branches, three healthcare branches and five childcare nurseries.

The chain is known for its ethical focus.

Katharine House Hospice, which provides specialist care for adults with life limiting conditions across North Oxfordshire, is the official charity partner for the Banbury store.

Earlier this year branches of the Co-operative across six areas of Oxfordshire were given the chance to choose to champion a range of causes closes to their customers' hearts.

Branches in both Banbury and Bicester choose to tackle loneliness and mental health problems.

Staff are supporting the causes by providing work experience placements and employment for people who are homeless, living in poverty or who have mental health problems.

The Hanwell Fields Co-operative is now open between 6am and 10pm daily.