Co-op's first 'on the go' convenience store in Essex closed its doors on Saturday, August 29, after just eight months of trading. The store, located on Chelmsford High Street, opened in December 2025 as the retailer's fifth 'new concept' store, designed for spots with 'vibrant, high foot-flow locations.'
Store format and offerings
At 850 square feet, the store differed from Co-op's traditional convenience format. It featured a hot food serve-over counter, Costa Coffee drinks, pastries, pizza, and deli-inspired selections alongside its traditional meal deals. The shop served breakfast, lunch, and dinner 'on the go,' with opening hours from 7am to 7pm seven days a week.
The branch offered products created specifically for the new format. Breakfast choices included all-day breakfast meal pots, berry burst bircher, and apple and cinnamon overnight oats. Lunch options included smoked salmon, egg and spinach pots, sweet potato bhaji wraps, falafel and houmous salad bowls, chicken, bacon and avocado Caesar wraps, and tomato, mozzarella and pesto focaccia bagels.
Community reaction and closing notice
A sign in the window read: 'We'll be closing our doors on 29/8/26.' Chelmsford resident Charles Wade-Palmer commented: 'The turnover of businesses in that unit space is ridiculous. Despite being slap bang in the middle of the high street, nothing seems to last. Then again, a Co-op posing as a Greggs never seemed like the greatest of ideas with Tesco, M&S and every fast food restaurant under the sun all within a stone's throwing radius.'
The store also provided an online delivery service, with items such as Co-op's Irresistible Pizzas available for delivery to local homes and workplaces through Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats. Seating inside the store included phone charging points, and a smaller selection of everyday essentials such as fresh fruit, tea, coffee, and bread was available.
Co-op's response
A spokesperson for Co-op said: 'After careful consideration a decision has been taken for our small food to go store - which is located in the High Street, Chelmsford - to close. Co-op is committed to serving the Chelmsford area, including our store located nearby on the corner of Marconi Street and New Street, and we would like to thank the community for its support of our local stores.'
