The Midcounties Co-operative

I use various co-op stores in Forest of Dean. All have friendly helpful staff. Prices generally a little higher than other supermarkets but ethically sound and some good special offers. Great range of spices and local beers and ciders. A little inconsistent in keeping some ranges in stock e.g. alcohol free beer and some veg.

Really like this shop. The staff are very friendly and welcoming and there is a great choice of products on offer all at a reasonable price. Car parking was a bit of a nightmare and given the current Covid-19 situation, I was disappointed that the cleansing station that was set up at the entrance was not really adequate enough

Terrible stock levels, terrible range of products. Then after waiting ages in a que due to there only being 2 checkout staff I was accused of que jumping by the checkout operator who then had the cheek to ask if I had a members card. The chances of me going back are slim to none!

Very convenient to Town centre parking, has their own parking behind the store. Helpful staff and well laid out, well stocked supermarket and Post Office. Good retail experience over all.

Poorly stocked, many shelves without usual stock, poor layout and expensive. How it still survives is beyond me. It really needs a management shakeup to get things sorted, or give up the space for a food retailer that can do, rather than one that obviously - at the moment - clearly cannot.

Today I watched a checkout cashier allow a lady with a toddler and without a puchchair, seat the child on the checkout desk while she filled her bag. Nice and friendly for the lady, but when the child was picked up, it was clear that the toddler's nappy had failed and the checkout had a lovely damp patch. Sorry, but I don't want my food [wrapped or unwrapped] being delivered on the same desk. Obviously the checkout cashier needs re-training. BTW, it was the same cashier who likes to chew gum with an open mouth while serving customers. I must remember NOT to return.

No one checking how many are in the store, hand sanitiser stuck out of the way as an afterthought or 'we better had to comply. I watched 10 people enter, none of them sanitised their hands or trolly / basket. Shouldn't this be compulsory?

Clean and tidy shop. Not very busy. Large car park. We found prices to our liking.

The Co-Op is the local supermarket for many villagers. I have always moaned at their highish prices. Until the mid 2018 listeria scare where a Hungarian food plant was identified as contaminated. We need frozen sweetcorn and mixed veg. Checking all the main supermarkets they all used Hungary EXCEPT the Co-Op who used France. And it occurred to me that the highish prices were because they didn't necessarily use the cheapest source like the others. Perhaps they used better, safer sources... Who knows the truth? But it put the Co-Op in a better light in my opinion. This store is just like a hundred other local Co-Op supermarkets - local for the locals.

Always did like the co-op .. though when I was there on 8th January.. it was a bit off putting to see cashier on cigarette counter with his finger up his nose having a good dig ... and then served the next customer .. perhaps extra training needed on hygiene.