Ram-raided Co-op at Donington due to reopen early next year

Would-be thieves fled empty handed after repeatedly ramming the Market Place store with a stolen tractor in a failed bid to steal the ATM cash machine mounted on the front wall.

The store has been out of action ever since it was was targeted on Thursday, September 29 but the Co-op made replacement services available to its customers.

Co-op bosses say work is starting when approvals, consents and plans for a programme of site works are all in place.

It is hoped the store can re-open early in the new year but no date has been set.

The Co-op says some demolition work will have to take place first and, once that is complete, they hope the three-way traffic lights outside the store can then be removed after county highways have inspected the pavement and road.

That phase of the work is expected to take about three weeks and the Co-op says “removing traffic management controls is a priority”.

Co-op area manager Simon Taylor said: “Our aim is to repair and reopen the store as quickly as possible. Contractors are now set to start and we look forward to being able to serve the community from the store again.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused while it remains temporarily closed, and thank the local authority, contractors and community for all their support.”

Work will include structural repairs, partial re-roofing and installation of a new shop front and signage. It will also involve internal refitting of flooring, refrigeration and the suspended ceiling.

Meanwhile, the Co-op’s pop-up shop will continue to serve customers from the car park of the next door Black Bull pub and a free minibus taking customers to the Co-op store at Billingborough will continue to run.

Previously ...

VIDEO: Watch Donington Co-op raid as it happened live on CCTV

Donington Co-op bounces back with pop-up shop after bungled ram-raid