Co-op chiefs say thank you to staff

Co-op staff have been thanked for their sterling efforts in coping with the recent bad weather by the company’s

management team.

Tim Hurrell, managing director of The Co-operative Food, said: "The staff on the petrol forecourts, as well as our food and distribution teams, deserve a massive thank you for their outstanding efforts. They went out of their way to ensure we were able to serve our valued customers, despite some of the worst weather conditions in decades."

Of note was the Somerfield petrol filling station manager in Charvil Farooq Murtaza who slept overnight in his office just in case he was unable to get back to the store if he travelled home.

In the Co-operative petrol filling station in Upper Sheffield Road, Barnsley, two members of staff Tracey Binney and Jenette Richards each worked a 12-hour shift to ensure the site remained open around the clock.

The Co-operative’s group chief executive Peter Marks also saluted the contribution of loyal Co-op workers, who, he said, showed the real meaning of co-operation in appalling conditions.

"Many staff have gone the extra mile to ensure our products and services remained available to customers. I want to thank everyone for their efforts and I know our customers are very grateful too."