Central Co-op’s First Store Launch with Solar Panels Lands in Streethay

Posted by sam bishop | Published: 22/05/2023

Central Co-op has launched its first new store of the year in Streethay, Staffordshire, which is also close to the Support Centre in Lichfield. It is also the first new store for the Society to launch with solar panels already included, showcasing the Society’s purpose of creating a sustainable Society for all.  

15 new jobs have been created with the store’s opening, and the launch day saw Streethay Primary School, Lichfield Food Bank, and more come along to celebrate the opening with Central Co-op. 

The store features the same quality that customers and Members have come to expect from Central Co-op, including Food to Go, products supporting Our Malawi Partnership, Fairtrade goods, a Bakery, COOK frozen ranges, and much more. 

As a part of Central Co-op's purpose of creating a sustainable Society for all, the store will also feature a bike repair station for cyclists to come in and use, along with electric vehicle charging points, and free water refills in the store.  

Central Co-op will continue to embrace the Streethay community with further events as the year goes on, including an upcoming mural decorated by Streethay Primary School students, and welcomes feedback from local customers and Members.  

For further details, head to the Central Co-op website, Facebook, and Twitter. Details on becoming a Member can be found on the Membership site. 

About Central Co-op 

Central Co-op is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK, with a heritage stretching back over 175 years and interests in food, funeral, floral and property investment.  

Owned by hundreds of thousands of members, its 7,700 colleagues serve customers across 440 plus trading sites in 21 counties in the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.   

Its purpose is to create a sustainable Society for all.   

It actively campaigns for food justice and works with FareShare Midlands and a network of local food banks. It also adds £1 to every Healthy Start Voucher redeemed in store and supports six schools in partnership with Magic Breakfasts.

The Society embraces inclusivity and equality and is a signed-up member to the Business in the Community (BITC) Race at Work Charter. The Society is also a member of Diversity in Retail and it is fully committed to addressing the impacts of climate change by reducing carbon and food waste, increasing recycling and investment in community Sustainable Spaces funded by the carrier bag levy. It recently launched its Malawi Partnership to support farmers and producers in the country through the Co-operative International Trading Development Fund.  

It invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities through its Community Dividend Fund scheme which has seen over £109,769.25 shared out between 121 good causes in 2022. 

Press office contact: Sam Bishop, PR Specialist  

Contact details:   

sam.bishop@centralengland.coop  

07385 048048