Another Co-op in Derby suburb shutting to make way for new branch

On Thursday (November 7), Derbyshire Live reported that the Co-operative food store in Derby Road, Chellaston, was set to close amid a new, bigger store opening around a mile away in Shelton Lock. In a statement, Central Co-op did not make any mention of the existing Shelton Lock store in Chellaston Road - which is only around 100 yards away from the former House of Darwin pub site, where the new branch will be built.

Central Co-op has now admitted that the existing Shelton Lock store will in fact close, with the new store opening in early 2025 set to have capacity to serve members and customers from the two previous stores. A spokesperson added: "The current Shelton Lock store will be closed just the day before the new one opens to ensure there’s always a local Central Co-op shop open for the community.

"All colleagues at Shelton Lock will be transferred over to the new store, so there will be no job losses. Plus the Insomnia Café, which is a part of the new store, has created further employment too."

Derby City Council approved the plans for the new shop earlier this year, on Friday, January 26. It said the new development could have “some impact” on neighbours, but those concerns were not severe enough to refuse the application.

A decision notice by the city council said: “The development is generally acceptable in policy, design, residential amenity, environmental impact and highway terms. The previous use of the site was a public house which also served meals and had external seating and drinking areas. The public house was served by draymen and delivery vehicles and a sizeable car park was available for patrons.

“In the opinion of the local planning authority, whilst the proposed reconfiguration of this site will have some impact on neighbouring residents, through deliveries and general disturbance, it would not be so severe to warrant refusal of the application on amenity grounds given the history of the site and the ability to impose safeguarding conditions. Therefore, on balance, the proposed development accords with the development plan, when considered as a whole.”