New campus Co-op opens at University of Leicester featuring self-checkouts and Unity Coffee self-service solution
A new Co-op campus store has opened at the University of Leicester. It stocks groceries, fresh food, bakery products, household essentials and grab and go options. The supermarket will serve students living at Freemen’s student village and the wider university community as well as members of the public.
The store features self-checkouts and a self-service coffee machine courtesy of Unity Coffee.
The opening comes as the university prepares to welcome new and returning students to Leicester for the start of the academic year.
Paul Gowdridge, Chief Financial Officer at the University of Leicester, says: “The new Co-op will give our students, staff and neighbours greater choice and flexibility when shopping on campus. Situated at the heart of our Freemen’s student village, there will be a range of food, groceries and everyday essentials available on your doorstep, whether you live on campus or are there just for the day.”
“With thousands of students preparing to return to Leicester, its opening is particularly well timed. We look forward to seeing students, staff and local residents benefit from the additional choice and convenience it will provide.”
Melanie Crunkhorn, Business Development Manager – Franchise at Co-op Wholesale, says: “We’re thrilled to see the new Co-op store open its doors at the University of Leicester and become part of the campus community. More than just a place to shop, the store is a welcoming space at the heart of university life, bringing together students, staff, residents and visitors, supporting everyday needs and helping to foster a vibrant, connected and inclusive community.”
Paul Borrett
Paul Borrett has joined Unity Coffee, which was developed by Coffee Nation entrepreneur Scott Martin, as its Technology Advisor. Earlier this year, Borrett announced his departure from wagamama, where he served as Director of Technology. Prior to that, he worked at Costa Coffee.
In a LinkedIn post, Martin said: “If you’ve ever bought a coffee from a Costa Coffee Professional machine, you’ve used something Paul built. He was the architect behind that digital platform - the M2M infrastructure that today keeps tens of thousands of machines connected, transacting and talking to eachother in real-time.”
He added: “I had the privilege of building that vision alongside him the first time round, and I wasn’t about to let the chance to do it again slip by. After a spell at wagamama, and a very short-lived taste of early retirement, I’ve persuaded him back in. Some technical rockstars just aren’t built for the golf course.”
“Paul joins at exactly the point Unity needs him most. We’re not just building a coffee machine - we’re building the intelligence behind it: equipment that flags its own faults before they happen, one data spine running from bean to cup, a machine that adapts its screen and its pricing to who’s in front of it and an app that turns a first sale into a habit. Paul has actually built infrastructure at that scale before and that’s rare, and it’s exactly what this next phase demands.”
