DURING these unprecedented times supermarket workers have proven themselves as essential to the national effort.

Co-op manager Dan Brewer has described the challenge him and his team face working on the frontline at the Ronkswood branch.

Mr Brewer said: “I am so proud of my team, I would be lying if I said there wasn’t some concern, but my message to them right from the start has been to never underestimate the role we are playing right now, and how important we are to the community we are serving.

“The biggest challenge is adjusting to the new normal. Everything needs to be carried out in a way which observes social distancing guidelines, advice and ensures the safety of colleagues and customers, which is our number one priority.”

“These are unprecedented and unexpected times, but we are all in it together, and our customers have been really supportive. They have really valued the lengths we have gone to in order to keep feeding the community.

“Our store offers a free delivery service to our most at risk and vulnerable customers from our store, with groceries and other essential items dropped off each week on foot, car or, even bicycle – colleagues are so committed some deliveries are done in our own time.

“We are located less than half a mile from Worcestershire Royal hospital too, so we are there up until 10pm at night for the front-line NHS staff when they finish their long shifts.

“The feedback we have received from the vulnerable, at risk and others in the community has been really moving, we have been described as a ‘lifeline,’ with customers saying we really do make a difference.”

Amy Guest, co-op areal manager in Hereford and Worcester, said: “Our colleagues have been amazing during this difficult time. I am so proud of them all, they really are local heroes.”