Central England Co-op recruits 500 people in four days

Central England Co-op has revealed it has hired 500 staff since the weekend to help it meet demand from anxious shoppers.

The retailer has also reduced its opening hours to allow colleagues to clean stores and replenish shelves with food and essentials as well as ensuring they get more time with their families to rest and recuperate.

Central England Co-op has also brought forward its annual share of profits and increased its colleague discount as a “thank you” to staff.

It also revealed that it has had an unprecedented response to its recruitment drive with 500 new staff, as well colleagues redeploying from other parts of its family of businesses, now working in stores across 16 counties to ensure shelves are stocked and customers are served.

Central England Co-op is also announcing that it is planning to install plastic screens at all till points as part of its ongoing efforts to keeps colleagues and customers safe. The retailer has also announced that bread from its in-store bakery will no longer be unwrapped.

Central England Co-op Chief Executive Debbie Robinson said: “Our colleagues and key workers are doing everything they can to ensure our communities continue to be supported during this uncertain time.

“In the spirit of co-operation, we wanted to say thank you by giving them a little something to showcase our gratitude for their hard work and dedication.

“We also wanted to say welcome to all of our new colleagues who have joined in the past few days. Thank you and good luck in your new roles.

“If you’re able to say thank you to our colleagues and to key workers when you see them, we are sure they would really appreciate the support at this time. Please be kind and respectful to everyone around you.”

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