The East of England Co-op thank Dedham community for support with makeover for Duchy Barn

The East of England Co-op has thanked the residents of Dedham for their support over the past year by giving their community hub a makeover.

The local retailer set up a temporary store at the Duchy Barn, which is used as a community facility by local residents after a ram raid caused extensive damage to their High Street store in December 2017. 
 
Following ten months at the Duchy Barn, the East of England Co-op moved back to their home on the High Street at the end of October. 
 
The East of England Co-op has completed renovations to the barn, including laying new floor coverings and the creation of a new ‘Duchy Barn’ entrance sign. The local retailer has also assisted with moving club equipment from storage back into the barn following their return to the local high street.
 
External works have also been completed at the barn with support from the East of England Co-op and the Parish Council. These works were requested and approved by the Vicar and the Duchy Barn committee.  
 
Roger Grosvenor, Joint Chief Executive at the East of England Co-op said: “The support we have had throughout the past year from the Dedham community has been completely overwhelming.  We are very grateful to Dedham Church, the Parish Council, particularly the Chair, Sheila Beeton who was instrumental in bringing everyone together and the Duchy Barn Management Committee for allowing us to use the Duchy Barn. And a big thank you to all the clubs and groups that relocated their activities whilst we carried out the work to restore and fully refurbish our High Street store.”
To thank the clubs who use the Barn for their support and cooperation, the East of England Co-op has also donated 50 new mugs and a new pin-board for their use.
 
Colin Biggins, Secretary at the Duchy Barn Management Committee, said: “The Barn is used for coffee mornings, youth club, art group and for bridge, it’s a lovely community resource. Whilst we have had an alternative, it’s not been quite as welcoming and as warm. Its lovely to have the Barn refurbished by the Coop and we are so pleased to get it back looking so fantastic.”
 
The East of England Co-op moved from its temporary store at Duchy Barn at the end of October into its original building at 32 High St, Dedham, Colchester CO7 6DE.