The UK’s first robot automated shop is opening in Greater Manchester

A shop controlled by robots is opening in Greater Manchester - and there won’t be a single human staff member in the store. In a UK first, a fully-automated click and collect convenience store will open its doors to customers and orders will be available to collect within five minutes.

Cleverly named in:Five, the shop is completely driven by technology with no people behind the scenes. It’s a physical store but not as we know it as there will be no shelves, checkouts or staff members.

The first of its kind in the country, it will open in Chapel Street, Salford, inside The Filaments, a built-to-rent development. Open to both residents and the public, customers will be able to place their orders via the in:Five app, visit the in-store Collection Hub, and collect their orders from their designated locker.

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Over the last month the store - owned by Hong Kong-listed company Hong Kong Technology Venture Company Limited - has been in a trial test run for a select few subscribers, but it will open to the general public on Saturday November 18. It will stock a range of everyday essentials including toiletries, washing essentials, over-the-counter medicines and store cupboard staples (non-perishables - there won’t be any fresh fruit and vegetables).

There’ll also be a range of familiar brands, including Heinz, Gillette, Uncle Bens, Persil and Lemsip. A selection of new and exciting brands will be on sale, too, including Hip Pop Kombucha and Karma Drinks, as well as Korean and Japanese soft drinks.

The shop will also sell gadgets, including MacBook