Gather & Gather, part of catering and hospitality company CH&CO, has opened its first retail shop as a Co-op franchisee at Oxford Brookes University.
The Headington Campus Co-op will be one of the largest Co-op’s stores at a UK university. It will be run by Gather & Gather, offering a range of fresh foods, extended vegan and free-from products, Fairtrade produce, food-to-go, in-store bakery and essentials.
Gather & Gather secured a 10-year contract, worth £8.1m, to provide catering services within Oxford Brookes University’s three Oxford campuses in 2019, with operations starting earlier this year. The contract was its first with a university, bolstering its presence in the higher education sector, and providing a route to market for the Co-op.
Rob Fredrickson, Managing Director of Gather & Gather, said: “We’re delighted to be the first caterer at a University that the Co-op has awarded a franchise to. The new venture is perfect for Oxford Brookes University, enhancing the vibrant campus life and supporting the values and sustainability goals of everyone.
Martin Rogers, Head of New Channels at Co-op added: “At the Co-op we are always looking for ways to reach new customers and members, and this a hugely exciting opportunity to grow our brand and generate mutual value with like-minded partners … The Co-op Oxford Brookes Franchise store will allow us to make our fabulous range available in another new location and better serve this campus and surrounding community.”
