Co-op to roll out 'on-the-go' outlets for hot meals

The Co-op is to compete with takeaway outlets such as Greggs, Pret A Manger and Subway as it plans hundreds of small food shops selling pizza, fried chicken and sandwiches.

- Sarah Butler

The first Co-op on the Go store opens in Solihull, near Birmingham, today and 14 more are planned this year, including five in London.

They will sell ready meals such as pizzas and lasagne to heat up at home, alcohol, soft drinks and essentials such as toothpaste and toilet roll, alongside staffed hot-food counters and food in heated cabinets.

At between 56 sq metres and 93 sq metres (600 sq ft and 1,000 sq ft), the stores will be about a quarter of the size of a typical Co-op, but unlike many convenience stores they will not sell cigarettes or vapes. However, the company has developed 35 new products for the format, such as meal-pot servings of all-day breakfasts, and smoked salmon, egg and spinach.