Villagers in Pilton welcomed their first grocery store in almost a decade on Friday (July 3) as a new Co-op opened its doors.

Cutting the ribbon was Jo Whitfield, Co-op Food's CEO, and founder of the Glastonbury Festival, Michael Eavis, who has long championed the ethical retailer's arrival in the village.

Located on St Mary's Lane, Pilton's new Co-op is open from 7am until 10pm. It has created 12 jobs for local people and runs on 100 per cent renewable electricity.

Located within part of the current working men's club, the store's arrival also heralds a permanent home for the Post Office, upgrading the current mobile offering which currently visits the village hall for 12 hours per week.

Jo Whitfield said: "Co-op's arrival in Pilton is extremely symbolic for us and encapsulates the way in which our stores sit right at the heart of local communities.

"It's wonderful to know that people living here will no longer have to travel to buy basic groceries and will also be able to enjoy the freedom that a full-time Post Office service brings. We'd like to thank Michael and everyone in the village for welcoming the Co-op so warmly."

Michael Eavis said: "When I was a small boy living in Pilton there were four shops – my favourite one was called Strickies, which sold sherbet in sticks of liquorice for one penny each.

"One by one, each shop was closed, the last one in 2012 following the village Post Office a year earlier.

"We managed to resurrect the Post Office in the working men's club building and, thanks to the Co-op, will remain there for the good of the village for years to come.

"It's such a terrific thing to get these two most important parts of village life back again. Thanks so much for all of those who put in the spade work to make this happen bang in the middle of this wonderful village of ours."

Pilton's Co-op is also set to provide a funding boost for local causes including Evercreech Sports Club, Friends of Ditcheat School and Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Association (SWEDA) in Shepton Mallet through its Membership scheme.

Members receive a five per cent reward on purchases of own brand products, and the retailer donates a further on per cent to community causes.

Last November, the retailer shared £17 million with more than 4,000 community groups UK-wide and this April the Co-op shared £46,900 across 90 Somerset causes.

And students who are TOTUM cardholders can pocket a 10 per cent discount off groceries at the Co-op.

Vicki McLaurie, Pilton Co-op's store manager, said: "We want customers to know that they can become a co-owner and member of their Co-op.

"Our Members help us to make a difference locally, raising money for local causes simply by swiping their Membership card when they shop with us.

"The Co-op experience is about getting closer to our members and customers, providing what they want, need and care about, conveniently. The additional Post Office services will also be of great benefit to everyone living here."

In 2019, the Co-op was selected as the Glastonbury Festival's first retail partner with a 6,000 sq ft store being set up on site for the duration of the festival.

The agreement between the two was founded on a shared ethos of co-operation, community support, ethical values and campaigning to make meaningful change.

Co-op is owned by around 4.6 million active Members, and alongside food, it operate Co-op Funeralcare, Insurance, Health and Legal Services.

More information about the Co-op is available by visiting https://www.coop.co.uk.