A petrol station in Soham is to become one of the country’s first to include a Co-op store.

The station on Fordham Road is part of a pilot organised between the Co-op and service station firm MRH to bring the stores to seven petrol stations across the country.

The new store is set to open on Thursday (July 20) but is offering members of the local community a sneak peak on Wednesday (19) between 6pm and 8pm.

Martin Rogers, Co-op’s head of franchise operations, said: “The pilot is an exciting opportunity for the Co-op to further expand its presence in the convenience sector.

“This will enable us to test the franchise model and potentially pave the way for further expansion to move the Co-op brand and our own-brand food into new communities.”

The Windmills Playgroup in Soham and the Stretham Youth Centre Motiv8 Project are also set to benefit as they will receive one per cent of money made from the purchase of own-branded products by Co-op members.