A SUPERMARKET chain will open its new village store this Friday after spending years battling to get permission.

The East of England Cooperative Society has built a new 5,200 sqft store in East Street, Coggeshall, to replace the existing shop in Doubleday Corner.

Store bosses submitted a number of planning applications which were rejected by Braintree Council before proposals were given the green light in September 2013.

The council had been concerned the proposals would divert trade away from other shops in Coggeshall and create noise and traffic.

But the Co-op said the new store was needed as the Doubleday Corner shop was too small and said the plans had received overwhelming public support at consultation events.

The new store, which is on the former site of Fleetshield Garage, was designed to be in keeping with the village environment of Coggeshall.

It is one of the brand’s new “greener” stores which have energy saving lighting, energy efficient refrigeration and solar panels.

Roger Grosvenor, Executive Officer for Retail at the East of England Co-op, said: “We’re delighted to be providing the community of Coggeshall with a larger, modern food store allowing us the space to offer the range and availability our local customers want.

“We have provided Coggeshall with a service for over a century and are looking forward to continuing our role at the centre of community life for many years to come.”

The current store at Doubleday Corner will close on Thursday at 10pm, with the new store officially opening on Friday at 10am.

It will be open Monday to Saturday 7am to 10pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

For further information visit eastofengland.coop or call the store on 01376 561250.