From a table sized Dairy Milk chocolate bar to lifesize cats, dogs and butterflies - Central England Co-op Florists reveal some of their amazing creations for families made during lockdown

Posted by rob smyth | Published: 02/10/2020


Central England Co-op today reveals how its floral teams have been working around the clock to ensure that families could still say goodbye to their loved ones with unique and personal floral tributes during these uncertain times.

During the pandemic floral colleagues had been helping in the Society’s food stores and funeral homes, as well as finding time to help families with advice and tips on creating natural arrangements from resources available in gardens.

However, since the start of June, they have been back to work designing and producing bespoke tributes that help celebrate the life of a relative or friend.

Some examples include:

  • Lifesize animals and creatures including cats, frogs and butterflies
  • A table sized Cadbury Dairy Milk bar
  • A badminton racquet and replica court
  • A recreation of a treasured motorbike
  • A lifesize music note
  • A giant ball using the colours of the Welsh flag

 

Sue Carty, one of the many talented florists that work for Central England Co-op, said: “We really enjoy what we do and love being able to come up with wonderful creations to help honour the life of a loved one.

“These examples are just some of the hundreds that we are asked to make to honour the lives of loved ones all year round.

“We pride ourselves on always trying to accommodate what people want – no matter what it is – especially during these uncertain times when families are faced with strict measures on how they can say goodbye to a loved one.

“People often come in with a set idea or photo and then it is up to me and my team to see if we can make that happen.

“We love these challenges as it means we are able to indulge our creative side and come up with solutions.

“We really enjoy what we do and love to be able to come up with something wonderful to help honour the life of a loved one.”

Central England Co-op has florists in Birmingham, Droitwich, Kettering, Stafford, Leicester and support centres in Burton and Chesterfield and floral tributes for funerals can be ordered via any Central England Co-op Funeral Homes.

People can find out more about our Floral offering by visiting www.centralengland.coop/florists

 

Notes to editors

Picture caption: Selection of images showcasing the work of Central England Co-op Floral teams.

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, travel and property investment.

 

Co-operatives have always been there for their communities; they were formed to protect them and help them flourish. 

 

Our 7,900 colleagues who serve Members and customers work hard to ensure that co-operative values, principles and spirit flow through everything we do to help support and improve our local communities.

 

Owned by hundreds of thousands of Members, we have over 430 trading outlets across 16 counties including West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. 

 

We are proud of our reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.

 

We invest a percentage of our trading profit into local communities through our Community Dividend Fund scheme, have donated over £1.3 million to our corporate charity partner Dementia UK and also operate a pioneering food redistribution partnership with FareShare Midlands so unsold food goes to those in need.

 

Visit www.centralengland.coop for more information or follow us on Facebook or Twitter using @mycoopfood

 

 

Press office contacts: Rob Smyth and James Brindle

 

Phone - 01543 421390

 

Email - publicrelations@centralengland.coop