THE manager of Penarth's Co-op store has expressed pride in the way his team has risen to the challenge of making sure the well-being of customers and the local community has been foremost in their minds.

Gary Stent is well placed to judge. He has been part of the Co-op family for more than 20 years – much of that time spent in neighbouring Barry.

Three years ago, he took the helm at the Windsor Road store in Penarth and, with colleagues there, has made a real impact on the lives of local people.

As with all Co-op stores, being a part of the community is paramount and making a difference is a driving force.

Things are certainly working in Penarth, where the Co-op's unique and innovative Community Wellbeing Index shows local people enjoying a lifestyle above the national average.

But even from such a successful platform, Gary and colleagues knew they faced a tough challenge as the effects of Covid-19 and the coronavirus lockdown began to impact.

It was a case of thinking outside of the box in the early days, as demand for stock rose and new ways of working had to be developed, tested and introduced.

It is a test Gary believes his team has passed. He spoke to Penarth Nub News about the impact the pandemic had in the early stages and said: "It was challenging. But we've adapted a lot since those first few weeks and things have adjusted to a new normal quickly in the Co-op. The company did a lot early on to make sure that people could get what they needed."

During the lockdown, the whole space in the store has had to change and there has been a good deal of adaptation for both staff and customers.

The aisles became one way and the number of people allowed in at any given time was reduced to allow for social distancing to be put in place.

The needs of the elderly and vulnerable in those early weeks struck a chord with Gary.

"It was heartbreaking seeing the elderly and vulnerable concerned that they might not get the things that they needed," he said.

"We did have an elderly and vulnerable hour in place when things were really busy, which helped a lot, and also a delivery system for those that couldn't get into the store.

"Since then, things have returned to some normality and the need for those services has reduced. But, as a store, we have kept up the service for some customers that we know require our help and support.

"Colleagues have taken the time to make sure we can still deliver to those that need it.

"With one lady, we source the items and then drop them down to her, and you can tell how much of a difference it makes for her.

"A colleague here also goes down the Bay to do the same thing. That's what the team here is like here. I am very proud of what we have achieved and how we have represented the Co-op values of social responsibility."

And, as with other Co-op stores, Penarth contributes to a wider and greater need by donating food that might otherwise be wasted.

"None of us can afford to throw away good food. That's why we give products that are going out of date to local community groups at the end of each day to prevent waste," explained Gary.

Across the Co-op group so far, more than three million meals have been distributed across local communities.