Workplace shop going down a treat
January 2012
Sue Bates, pictured left, serves a customer in the newly extended shop at The Wilton Centre
Workers at a Teesside business and science park no longer have to call into the supermarket on their way home to buy food for tea after their on-site shop extended its range of groceries.
The Mocha Shop at The Wilton Centre, located between Middlesbrough and Redcar, now not only stocks products such as pasta, rice and tinned foods but stays open until 5.30pm to cater for customers calling in after work en route from the office to their car.
And the changes, made last month, are proving a great hit with the 1,000 employees on site, according to Catering Manager Sean Wentworth who runs the outlet on behalf of Taylor Shaw Catering.
“It has gone down a storm – better than we ever thought it would,” he said. “We are stocking a range of everyday grocery items, including pet food, so no one at home need go hungry in an evening anymore!”
The existing shop at The Centre was redesigned and had new shelving installed to accommodate the new lines which also include cleaning products and ‘distress’ items such as painkillers, sore throat remedies and cold relief.
Even so, despite the trend to diet after the Christmas festivities, the shop’s special offers on crisps, chocolate and drinks are proving most popular.
“We introduce different offers each month and distribute flyers around the Centre to promote them which we have never done before,” said Sean.
“That is really driving in customers wanting to treat themselves during the working day or take ‘goodies’ home for the family. Once in, they see what else we have and how convenient it is to pick up essentials while in their workplace.
“The only thing we don’t stock is fresh produce but if the demand is there, we will definitely consider doing so in the future.”
Trevor Hill, who runs his executive car hire business from The Wilton Centre said the new later opening hours of the shop had made a big difference to him:
“It saves me having to rush to the shops after work,” he explained.
Invista’s Gail Alderson is also a fan of the expanded range.
“It’s ideal for full time workers,” said the administrator. “There is a wide choice at a good price. I will definitely be a regular user.”
Wilton Centre Manager, Dave Willis, said the provision of a grocery shop was another example of the moves being made to not only attract new tenants but improve the facilities for existing ones.
“We are very proud of the proactive way in which we are continually striving to offer better facilities and environment,” said Dave.
“We know that this is something that is often the deciding factor when companies locate here rather than to another business park.”