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The Co-Operative flies the flag for Queen's Diamond Jubilee -

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:21:22 EST

The Co-operative Food is flying the flag for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee with a £10,000 party fund to give community groups and neighbourhoods across the UK the chance to win one of 100 street parties.
 
The community-based retailer, which has a store in every UK postal area, is backing the royal revelry as it gears up for what is expected to be one of the busiest summers on record with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Euro 2012, Wimbledon and the London Olympics.
 
The Diamond Jubilee weekend may be two months away, but 'Jubilee fever' is already sweeping many parts of the country, with a bumper number of applications for road closures for street parties according to the Local Government Association.
 
People holding street parties over the Queen's Diamond Jubilee weekend (2 - 5 June, 2012) can win £100 worth of Co-operative vouchers to put towards the food, together with a party pack full of street party essentials including red, white and blue bunting, balloons, papers cups and plates, and Union Jacks.
 
Party organisers can enter by visiting Co-operative Food's Diamond Jubilee Page and saying what's special about their community and why they've decided to host a street party.  Judges will be looking for entries that most touch their hearts and are the most community focused.  The competition, launched today (12 April 2012), runs until 30 April 2012 inclusive.   
 
Sales soared over last year's bumper bank holiday for the royal wedding as shoppers made the most of the extended weekend and, with another extended bank holiday break for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, retailers are anticipating a repeat performance as party fever grips the nation.  
 
Moreover, with three major sporting events - Euro 2012, Wimbledon and the London Olympics - in quick succession, retailers are hoping the sales momentum will continue throughout the summer.
 
The Co-operative is marking the celebrations with a host of new products, including a Teddy Bear Gingerbread Biscuit sporting a Union Jack T-shirt and limited edition doughnuts decorated with red, white and blue sprinkles - both available from 2 May, 2012*.
 
The community retailer will also be introducing two limited-edition premium own-brand British beers, appropriately named 'Jubilation' and 'Salutation', which will be in store from 2 May, 2012**. Jubilation is a pale, diamond-bright beer made with malt from Warminster and Bramling Cross hops from Worcester to create a refreshing taste with a distinctly hopped finish.  
 
Salutation is a classic British bitter, and the careful addition of two historic hop varieties - Goldings and Fuggles - creates a darkly-delicious beer with a satisfying bitterness. Both of the beers, which are part of The Co-operative Truly Irresistible range, are brewed by hand at the Freeminer brewery in the Royal Forest of Dean.
 
The Co-operative will also be offering better-than-half price Champagne and half-price Cava***.
 
Helen Nunn, Head of Marketing for The Co-operative Food, said: 'For millions of people, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee is a celebration of everything that's great about Britain, and street parties are a quintessentially British way to celebrate.
 
'They are great neighbourhood occasions and, as a retailer at the heart of the communities in which we trade, we're getting behind the Jubilee celebrations at a local level with a helping hand to make people's street parties extra special and memorable.'
 
She added: 'This summer is a spectacular season of events, and we're gearing up to ensure we have everything our customers need to make the most of these unique occasions and celebrate together with family and friends.'
 
For more information, to enter the competition and for full terms and conditions, including judging criteria, please visit Co-operative Food's Diamond Jubilee Page.
 
 - Ends –
 
Notes to Editors:
*           The Co-operative Teddy Bear Ginger Bread Biscuit  - 99p
The Co-operative Limited Edition Ring Doughnuts with red, white and blue sprinkles 4s - £1.29
           
**         The Co-operative Truly Irresistible Jubilation Ale 500 ml AbV 5.0% - £1.69
The Co-operative Truly Irresistible Salutation Ale 500ml AbV 4.5% - £1.69
 
**         Aubert et Fils Champagne75cl - £12.99 (down from £29.99)
BETTER THAN HALF PRICE
Marques de Sierra Negra Brut Cava 75cl - £5.99 (down from £11.99)
HALF PRICE
(From 23 May to 12 June, 2012, inclusive)
 
For further information and images, please contact:                      
Adele Mandy
Assistant PR Manager – National, Food
The Co-operative Group
Tel: 0161 266 3591
Mob: 07713 314894
Email adele.mandy@co-operative.coop