The Co-op is ramping up its investment in London amid plans to open 30 new c-stores within the M25 this year.

The mutual will plough £28m into the project, which will also see it revamp seven existing stores in the Greater London region.

Paddington, Walthamstow, Colliers Wood Station, Colindale Station and Cricklewood will benefit from the first tranche of new store openings.

The Co-op said the expansion plan in the capital would create 600 new jobs.

Peter Batt, the Co-op’s divisional managing director, said: “It’s an incredibly exciting time for the Co-op in London as we gear up to launch and refit a record number of stores across the capital.

“Our new store launches and refits, together with our ever growing range of locally-sourced produce and increasing member numbers put us in a strong position for the future as we look towards further expansion in 2019 and beyond.”