Remembering Her Majesty The Queen

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Published 9 Sep 2022 in Phil's blog

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I am sure that like me you were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty the Queen announced yesterday evening. She has been a constant in all our lives and her steadfastness, commitment to duty and love of her country and the wider Commonwealth has been without equal.

I often talk of the incredible service given by colleagues across our organisation and particularly when presenting long service awards to people completing 50 years, but to consider our Queen gave this country 70 years of service and was working two days before her death aged 96, is a truly remarkable achievement and affirmation of her dedication and loyalty.

I am sure you all have particular memories of her; as a big James Bond fan, my abiding memory will be the opening of the London Olympics in 2012 when she performed a sketch with Daniel Craig and was seen to ‘jump out’ of a helicopter over the Olympic stadium.

The Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development

A proud moment for our Society’s was back in 2015, when we were awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development. With the Queen’s personal representative, Timothy Cox, the Lord-Lieutenant for the County of Warwickshire, visiting Co-operative House in Warwick to present the award in person.

Timothy Cox, the Lord-Lieutenant for the County of Warwickshire with former Society President, Ruth Fitzjohn

It meant a great deal to be recognised and gain the royal seal of approval and I’m pleased to say we have entered the award again this year.

Right now, her death has cast a dark shadow over the nation. But as we look forward to celebrating the coronation of King Charles III and the dawning of new era for the United Kingdom, we do so with fond memories of a very special Queen who, above all, demonstrated compassion, empathy and understanding for the people she so valiantly served.

As we enter this national period of mourning, we have already suspended all digital marketing and media activity through this weekend and will inform you through Colleagues Connect of any further changes that may affect the operation of our businesses. We will assess the guidance from Buckingham Palace and relevant authorities to coordinate our approach as appropriate. However, we will ensure that we take action so that colleagues are able to watch the funeral service.

God save the King.

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Lynn Griffiths (FOODRETAIL) 13 Sep 2022 09:16

I think out of respect for our late queen the least the company can do is to close its stores for a day, this does not impact me personally as i am off on Monday so this is not coming from a selfish perspective, if the likes of primark, aldi, sainsburys, argos, john lewis, and theme parks to name but a few can close surely at least coop could follow suit, i know our customers are already asking and have said its disgusting if we do not close which could have an negative impact on our company.

Carol Smith (FOODRETAIL) 13 Sep 2022 09:26

@Lynn Griffiths (FOODRETAIL) I actually can't believe they're even having to 'think' about whether to close the stores or not!! They should have lead by example & been the first to announce closure!! If they don't I think it will damage any little respect they have left tbh. Like you, our customers would be appalled if they do not close! The Rochdale Pioneers will be turning in their graves!! Run by the people, for the people!?

Tom Evans (FOODRETAIL) 13 Sep 2022 07:39

For us to be able to show our respects to the queen i do believe we should be shut for the day. I don't really want to watch her funeral on catch up, Just saying that sounds awful. The world will keep turning if we are given the day to honor such an amazing woman. Hopefully the power at be will think about this

Peter Lockey 12 Sep 2022 18:07

Thank you for the comments. We are taking these into consideration and expect to update colleagues on plans for Monday 19th September tomorrow (Tuesday 13th ).

Leigh Godding (FOODRETAIL) 12 Sep 2022 19:20

@Peter Lockey its not difficult to say stores will be closed. As such it is easy to assume you are looking for partial closer so people can watch.considering other business even Amazon are giving staff full days off. Not sure im looking forward to the member's voicing there opinion at the checkout with this one !

Rebecca Harris (FOODRETAIL) 12 Sep 2022 19:39

I asked a few customers today, members by the way! about us being closed for the Queens funeral. They all replied with the same answer, it would be disrespectful to be open. This isn’t about having a day off and having a jolly! This is a moment in history, watching the Queens final journey. This means a lot to myself and my colleagues so please, do the right thing. So many other companies have made the decision to close, yet we still have to wait to hear.

Rhian Johnson (FOODRETAIL) 12 Sep 2022 17:36

I hope as a long reigning store ourselves who base themselves on being about the community, i hope we respectfully shut for the day so everyone community and staff included can pay their respects whichever way they please.

Sarah Slocombe (FOODRETAIL) 12 Sep 2022 17:18

As a community store. I hope we close our stores as a show of respect to our late queen. So staff can show there's all other stores are closing. The community all know that this could happen and have plenty of warning to get essentials in the day before.

Kim Lane (FOODRETAIL) 12 Sep 2022 17:23

@Sarah Slocombe (FOODRETAIL) well said. If people know shops are going to close they can plan accordingly. I'm sure all office, travel, childcare and suchlike will all be closed and able to show their respects. Coop please don't let us food workers down. Not on something so important to so many of us.

Sarah Slocombe (FOODRETAIL) 12 Sep 2022 18:07

@Kim Lane (FOODRETAIL) yes and would help staff who's children won't be in school but still have to work. Because this will course childcare issues.

Della Kelly (FOODRETAIL) 12 Sep 2022 16:48

Aldi . Sainsbury's. So far are closed all day

Andrew Whitcombe (FOODRETAIL) 12 Sep 2022 13:31

I really hope the the co-op show the respect and close all stores for the whole day so all colleagues can join the rest of the country in showing their respect to the late Queen Elizabeth.

Della Kelly (FOODRETAIL) 12 Sep 2022 15:34

@Andrew Whitcombe (FOODRETAIL) ya I hope so too

Dawn Sheldon (FOODRETAIL) 11 Sep 2022 14:13

Firstly God save our King! I do hope that the coop follow what the government have said that the day of our queen's funeral that all shops through our area respect the wishes of the monachy and close so the whole of the United Kingdom can pay their own reapect

Sally Oxley (FOODRETAIL) 10 Sep 2022 21:00

I genuinely hope that the coop respect this very sad day of mourning and observe the bank holiday with the closer of its stores. So that all staff can pay their respects to the iconic figure head of this great country. She was without doubt the very best of us all and will be sadly missed for a lifetime to come.

Kim Lane (FOODRETAIL) 10 Sep 2022 19:53

It would be a genuinely good step for co-op to shut all supermarkets and convenience stores and any other branch that would usually remain open on a bank holiday, even for just a few hours so employees can go home and watch the funeral as it's broadcast. We would appreciate the gesture so we can pay our respects and mourn the Queens passing.

Alan Dominey (FOODRETAIL) 10 Sep 2022 11:27

This is a time of reflection and mourning for a lady of inspiration of the late Queen Elizabeth 11, but now after the proclamation of our King, our sincere wishes and thoughts to him and all the Royal Family. God Save The King...

Sally Bonard (CHILDNURSE) 9 Sep 2022 13:46

I remember many years ago, lining the nursery children up along the road at the end of our garden to wave to the Queen as she passed by when visiting our site. All the children were excitedly waving their flags they had made as she passed by. More recently, our Preschool children sent her some portraits they had drawn of her and were very proud to receive a letter back from her, thanking them.