LIVING THROUGH COVID: CO-OP TOWN STORE BOSS MAKES PERSONAL PLEA 'NOT TO BE TEMPTED' TO VISIT FRIENDS AND FAMILY OR HOLD STREET PARTIES

ATHERSTONE'S number one retailer is urging families to be part of the 'in crowd' celebrating the national one-off bank holiday at the end of the week.

Co-op store manager John Mangan has made a personal plea to townsfolk and North Warwickshire NOT to be "tempted" into visiting friends and family to mark VE Day, or entertain holding an outdoor street party.

The traditional May Day Monday off work has been switched to this Friday to coincide with the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe on May 8, 1945.

Across the UK, millions of people had planned to head out into their communities and enjoy street parties as part of the unique Friday holiday.

However, the coronavirus outbreak and lockdown restrictions now mean people have to get creative and find ways to mark the occasion in their home or garden.

And rather like doing the 'hokey-cokey' dance of yesteryear to signal the end of a party, the words of the song are apt to keep right legs, left legs and whole selves inside on this occasion to avoid the obvious risks of catching or spreading the deadly infection – when the war against coronavirus is not yet won.

On behalf of staff working to provide food and essentials for their communities, the store manager at Atherstone Central England Co-op food said it was vital for people to stay home unless "absolutely necessary" on VE Day.

Co-op shopworkers have been going "above and beyond" to support their communities as the ongoing Covid pandemic continues to alter the public's day-to-day lives.

It is now hoped people will forgo any thoughts of holding a street party or venturing out to celebrate and only go out for their groceries or daily exercise, should they need to, he said.

Mr Mangan told Nub News: "We all understand the significance of these celebrations and the fact that it is a bank holiday, but we urge people to only leave home for vital essentials or for their daily exercise.

"It might be tempting to visit friends and family or even to hold a street party, but to help keep us all safe and healthy please stay safe and enjoy VE Day celebrations in your home or garden.

"I have to leave my home this bank holiday – you don't have to. Stay home, protect front line workers and save lives."

Nub News revealed earlier this week Atherstone and district has started to prepare for the day of national thanksgiving with the usual announcements on social media forums.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is encouraging people to get into the spirit of the day and has produced a special template pack so the public can hold a 1940s-style afternoon tea party at home. Click here for it.

Central England Co-op has also produced a special downloadable VE Day themed-colouring sheet to help keep youngsters entertained during the festivities.

To download the sheet or find out more about Central England Co-op is doing in your community to support people impacted by coronavirus visit www.centralengland.coop/updates.

Central England Co-op Funeralcare has been on hand to support the families of heroes who fought for their country during the past 75 years.

On VE Day, Co-op colleagues in more than 130 funeral homes will be taking part in the planned two-minute silence at 11am on Friday to honour all those they had the privilege of taking on their final journey.