Schoolchildren’s delight as their special artwork takes pride of place in brand new Central England Co-op Food Store in Sutton

Posted by james brindle | Published: 12/03/2021

Children at a school in Cambridgeshire have spoken of their excitement after seeing their artwork take pride of place as part the design of their village’s new Co-op food store.

The Central England Co-op Food Store in Ely Road, Sutton, which opened its doors last month creating 15 jobs, has joined forces with Sutton C of E (VC) Primary School to have a special piece of artwork included inside the store celebrating some of the village’s significant landmarks and features.

The design, entitled ‘What Sutton Means to Me’, features artwork created by dozens of Year Three, Four and Five pupils at the school and Head teacher Sarah Jarman said the children and staff were ‘delighted’ to have been asked to be a part of the store in such a way.

She said: “We were really happy to be asked by Central England Co-op to produce artwork to feature in its new store in the village and to be able to be part of this community project that will be seen by so many people who visit the store.

“The children really enjoyed the project and they have been really excited to visit the store since it opened, see the artwork in place and see if they could spot their pictures.”

The children whose works of art have been featured in the finished design have given their verdict on the project and on seeing their work in their local Co-op.

Year Six pupil Saskia said: “I enjoyed having the chance to draw different locations of Sutton – it really did make me feel involved in what’s happening!”

Raffaella from Year Five said: “I enjoyed sketching and drawing different bits of Sutton and having the amazing opportunity to have the chance for my artwork to go up in the Co-op.”

Year Six pupil Mia said: “I really liked the chance to contribute to the new Sutton Co-op artwork display. I think all of the artwork is very unique and reflects our community.”

Abbie in Year Six said: “I was so happy when we got asked to produce some artwork because I love art. When I went to see them at the Co-op mine was up. I was over the moon.”

Meanwhile Freya in Year Six said: “When I first got to know that my work could be up on the Co-op wall, I was scared but I gave it my all. When me and my dad went to the Co-op for the first time and saw my artwork up, I was so happy and excited that it was up for everyone to see.”

The new store in opened following an investment of over £2 million and features include self-scan till points, a bicycle repair station, a free hot and cold water refill station and a customer car park with electric car charger points.

For Store Manager Rebecca Mott, building links with the community in the village is really important and therefore having a permanent feature created by the local school as part of the store made her particularly proud.

She said: “We have had such a wonderful welcome from the community in Sutton since we opened the store and are so proud to be a part of the lovely village and provide a vital service in these uncertain times.

“I am delighted to be able to display the fantastic piece of artwork created by children at Sutton Primary School and we look forward to building on the links with the school going forward.”

The Ely Road Co-operative food store is open from 7am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday.

Notes to editors

About Central England Co-operative

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK with interests in food, funeral, floral and property investment.

Owned by hundreds of thousands of members, its 7,550 colleagues serve customers across over 400 trading sites in 16 counties in the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. 

The Society’s purpose is to inspire communities to help create a ‘sustainable Society for all’, a strong and successful business that is invested in protecting the environment and the wellbeing of its colleagues, members, and customers.

Press office contacts: Rob Smyth and James Brindle

Phone - 01543 421390

Email - publicrelations@centralengland.coop