The Central England Co-op hires 1,000 extra staff as part of COVID-19 response ​

The Co-op has provided an update on the measures it has put in place to ensure its communities continue to be served during the crisis.

A spokesman said: "The society, which has more than 400 food stores and funeral homes across 16 counties, has been leading the way to ensure its colleagues and customers continue to have access to food, essentials and vital services in the local community."

It has employed an extra 150 security guards in stores and its distribution network and hired more than 1,000 extra staff to help in stores.

The Co-op has installed almost 1,000 kiosk and checkout screens and sourced tens of thousands of gloves, and masks to use in its stores and funeral homes

Debbie Robinson, Chief Executive, said: “As a co-operative retailer, we want to make sure we are leading the way for our communities during this difficult time.

“We hope that these measures and the work of our colleagues, members and customers show that we are coming together for our communities during this uncertain time and reacting to the challenges we face.”

People can keep up to date with how Central England Co-op is responding to the Coronavirus by visiting www.centralengland.coop/updates