THE PROPERTY section of the Co-op has pledged to clean up its village centre site in Studley in readiness for the Britain in Bloom competition.
The firm’s supermarket sits on the site of a former needle factory but since the size of the store was reduced large areas of the land – now hidden behind dilapidated hoardings – have been left to become an overgrown mess.
News of the decision has delighted the Studley in Bloom team which had feared the land, which the Co-op is trying to sell, had become such an eyesore it could damage their chances in the competition.
“This is very good news indeed,” said Bloom chairman Gill Liebthal.
“They haven’t cut any of the greenery down behind the boards and it’s a mess – it’s pushing the hoardings out of position and it just looks awful – and we’re stuck with it right in the middle of the village.”
The news comes after the Bloomers – five times winners of the Heart of England in Bloom Gold Award – held their most successful fund raising coffee morning ever in the Co-op supermarket itself.
“The management at the store have always supportive of us, and so we are really grateful to them,” said Gill.
“People continue to be very generous. We managed to raise £260 from the coffee morning and have also picked up some new recruits which is tremendous.”
A spokesperson for The Co-op said: “The hoardings around the vacant site are being re-painted and refreshed whilst the area is marketed for sale, and we would be happy to talk to Studley in Bloom about further suggestions for improving their appearance.
“The local Co-op food store in Alcester Road is an active supporter of Studley in Bloom and is keen to explore new ways they can work closely together as the Britain in Bloom bid gathers momentum.”
