Central Co-op has unveiled its new Lichfield-based Support Centre.
The 32,000sq ft location, which is set over three floors in its new Queen Street home, was officially opened on Wednesday 6 December 2023, with the Society’s President, Elaine Dean cutting the ribbon.
The Support Centre has been designed to support colleagues’ wellbeing with a light and airy social zone on the top floor, including a pool table and colleague shop. There are also break out areas for people to meet, eat and socialise.
Created with sustainability in mind, the building includes solar panels, enabling green energy to be used in the building, as well as plans in place to install EV charging points. The location also includes a bike shed, as well as showers in the pipeline, to encourage team members to take advantage of the Society’s cycle to work scheme.
Debbie Robinson, Chief Executive at Central Co-op, said: “We’ve been keen to provide a Support Centre for our colleagues that reflects the professionalism and passion they bring to work every day.
“This new building in the heart of Lichfield already feels like a home that will help us all to thrive and continue to make a difference for the future.
“Our new Support Centre was developed with our vision to create a sustainable Society for all firmly in mind. We’ve recycled, repurposed, and upcycled furniture and fixtures from our old offices including hand dryers and water coolers. We’ve also added solar panels to the roof and created zones for creative thinking and wellbeing.”
The Society’s new home also accommodates other tenants including local charity Liberty Jamboree, which provides opportunities for young people and adults aged 11-25 years old with learning and physical barriers in and around Staffordshire. This includes access to facilities and provisions to support inclusion within their community, as well as helping them develop independence as they transition into adulthood.
Everybody needs good neighbours
Central Co-op has received a warm welcome to its new home by some of its new neighbours, Lichfield Garrick Theatre, St Giles Hospice and Lichfield Food Bank.
This year the Society is supporting Lichfield Garrick’s Christmas Ticket Appeal, helping provide free tickets to local charities so that young people who face financial barriers, or have experienced illness or trauma, can see upcoming pantomime, Beauty and the Beast.
In addition, Central Co-op is sponsoring much-loved local Lichfield charity, St Giles’ Hospice, in its ‘March of The Elephants’ fundraising sculpture trail in 2024. The Society was also welcomed by Lichfield Food Bank, which has received food donations from Central Co-op for several years to support local families in need.
