TWO Co-operative Food stores in South Lakeland are being transformed with a £730,000 investment.

The Lake Road, Bowness-on-Windermere, and Kents Bank Road, Grange-over-Sands, stores have been given a major make-over.

The new-look stores both opened on Thursday December 11.

Pupils from Goodly Dale Community Primary School in Windermere helped relaunch the Bowness store, following its £350,000 refit.

Youngsters from Grange Pre-School helped re-open the Grange-over-Sands store, which has undergone a £380,000 investment.

The Co-op says the stores now have a focus on meal ideas, essentials and healthy, fresh foods.

The in-store bakery is being increased, and there is an extended ranges of fresh produce, ready meals and pizzas, it said.

Staff at the stores are receiving additional training to enable them to provide expert advice and to help inspire customers with meal ideas.

Tracy Bramer, store manager in Bowness, said: “I’m excited about welcoming shoppers into the new store. The transformation will be amazing, and I’m sure our customers will enjoy shopping in the new environment, which will provide them with a convenient location to pick up everything they need to create inspirational and tasty meals.”

Rachel Jackson, store manager in Grange-over-Sands, said: “The Co-operative is a community retailer, and we are committed to playing an active role in local life, embracing the area’s community spirit. The store will be a hub for the local community, and customers will be able to find out what is going on locally, and learn about how The Co-operative can benefit local groups.”

The stores have appointed “community pioneers” as part of a new programme that sees a member of the store team have an additional remit to 'foster a strong involvement in community activity'.

This includes volunteering opportunities to helping develop solutions to meet local needs.