A NEW-LOOK Co-op in Worcester was reopened by its most dedicated customer after a £550,000 revamp.

Bigger, brighter and fresher, the store on Ombersley Road in Northwick, Worcester, officially opened its doors to customers in style by offering free carrot cake to shoppers.

Pam Breakwell, who was asked to cut the celebratory ribbon, had been visiting the store most of her life and now chooses it over larger supermarkets in the county.

She said: “I am very honoured to be asked to open this store and I wish it a long and profitable life.

“I came here at four years-old with my grandmother so it’s been 70 years now.

Store manager Gary Heason said the £550,000 refurbishment had been undertaken to give customers a more organised store and to be able to stock more fresh produce.

He also said store bosses are keen to hear people’s feedback on the new look, and suggest ideas for how to improve it further.

It comes as reports over the weekend suggested supermarkets are among the winners from the slight economic upturn, especially as many larger chains have ex-panded their offer.

Last week Sainsbury’s re-vealed it was cutting 6p per litre off the price of petrol, starting a price war on the forecourts. Meanwhile Tesco and Asda say year-on-year results are gaining momentum, especially on non-food items. Roger Berry, area committee chairman, said: “This just shows how committed the Co-op is to the community of Worcester as we have had a presence for 85 years serving the community of Northwick.”

The store originally opened in 1928, with the present supermarket being built on the site in 1976.

The store is open from 8am until 11pm Monday to Fri-day, from 8am until 10pm on Saturdays and from 10am until 4pm on Sundays.