Four East of England Co-op Food stores across Suffolk will close temporarily while they are given a major facelift.

The retail chain - which has suffered losses in recent years and is embarked on a turnaround - started a £5million project to upgrade and improve the sustainability of 12 of its stores across the region in August 2024.

They include two stores in Ipswich, one in Elmswell and another in Woolpit.

The first store in Suffolk to be given a new look is Belstead Hills Food store in Ipswich. It will close at 10pm on October 12 and re-open at 7am on October 22.

The refurbishments form part of a portfolio shake-up by the retailer, which last week announced plans to transfer and lease its Brightlingsea (Samson’s Road) and Felixstowe (Hamilton Road) supermarkets to retailer Sainsbury’s.

It also confirmed it was in conversation with a second retailer about the transfer and lease of its Halstead (Weavers Court) supermarket.

The re-shape follows a tough period for the business after it sustained losses. It made a trading loss of £4m in the year to January 2024 - its second loss-making year in a row.

Chief executive Doug Field said the decision to lease out the shop units was made to "help us on our journey back to profit" and would provide the society with secure long-term rental income.

In July, the business - which is the largest independent retailer in the region - put its Wherstead Park headquarters near Ipswich on the market for an undisclosed sum.

Other Suffolk stores in line for a facelift include Elmswell which will be closed from 10pm Saturday, October 12 to 6am on Thursday, October 31.

Rands Way in Ipswich will close from 10pm on Tuesday, October 29, until 6am on Thursday, December 5.

Woolpit closes from 10pm on Saturday, October 26, to 7am on Thursday, December 12.

Essex stores in line for refurbishment are Kelvedon, Hatfield Peverel, Mersea Road in Colchester and Cross Road in Maldon.

Improvements include new roof solar panels and eco-friendly refrigeration units capable of saving up to 57t of CO2 emissions a year. Solar panels at Belstead Hills and Rands Way will save a further 13t a year.

The stores in Elmswell and Rands Way will see several other upgrades including a new ‘to-go’ food range, including fresh coffee, hot food, Tango Ice Blast, Fwip ice cream and an in-store bakery.

Chief operating officer Andy Rigby said: “We’re excited to announce these stores are to be part of our ongoing refurbishment programme, and we’re excited to introduce services that will greatly enhance the experience for our members and customers.

"The improvements will make shopping easier and more enjoyable, while also reflecting our commitment to being environmentally conscious.”

The East of England Co-op also owns travel branches and funeral service branches across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.

Belstead Hills Ipswich store (Image: Ashley Pickering/Anglia Picture Agency) Rands Way Ipswich (Image: Ashley Pickering/Anglia Picture Agency) Elmswell (Image: Ashley Pickering/Anglia Picture Agency) Woolpit store (Image: Ashley Pickering/Anglia Picture Agency)