The co-operative retailer opened the outlet in Station Road on Friday 20 November with an investment of more than £500,000.
 
Powered by 100% renewable energy, the store offers such features as self-scan till points, a bicycle repair station, a customer car park, a free hot and cold water refill station, a mobile phone charging area, a customer toilet and pet parking.
 
There is also an in-store bakery, a wide selection of products including the Irresistible range, a Costa Coffee machine, customer seating inside and out, a free cash machine and a life-saving defibrillator.
 
A food bank collection point has been installed to support the work of Cromer & District Food Bank as it continues to manage the increased demand caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
 
The store will also take donations for its Christmas Toybox Appeal, which continues instore until 9 December, with customers urged to donate new, unwrapped toys and games that will be distributed to families in need this Christmas.
 
Central England Co-op’s Eastern Membership and Community Council also awarded a grant of £1,000 to Shop Reepham to help it produce 500 canvas bags with a map and list of stores in the town to show its support for the local retail community – £1 from each bag sold will go towards the replanting of trees in Reepham.
 
The Norfolk branch of baby-loss charity Cradle has also been supported with a donation of sanitary products for the comfort bags they produce to help women admitted unexpectedly to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
 
Store manager Brad Tuckfield marked the launch of the new Reepham store by making a donation of Christmas treats and essentials to the food bank.
 
He said he and the team were proud to launch their “fantastic” new store and be on hand to support the community during these uncertain times.
 
Mr Tuckfield said: “It is great to finally open our doors to the local community as the team have been desperate to support our neighbours and ensure they can access food and essentials during the pandemic.
 
“All of us here at the new store are proud to be part of such a great community in Reepham, so we are delighted to be able to be supporting organisations like Cromer Food Bank, Shop Reepham and Norfolk Cradle.
 
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank local residents for their patience. It has been long-awaited, but hopefully everyone will enjoy the store as much as we do.”
 
In line with the latest government guidance, the store has a range of social distancing measures in place that customers will be asked to adhere to, as well as other measures designed to keep everyone safe, such as checkout screens and a hand sanitiser station at the store’s entrance.
 
The Reepham Co-operative food store is open from 7 am to 10 pm, Monday to Sunday.
 
See our earlier stories:

• Shop Reepham gets funding to print first batch of eco-bags
• New Co-op food store set to open
• Co-op food store jobs available at station yard development