Helston Nub News aims to support our community, promoting shops, businesses, charities, clubs, and sports groups.

We will be profiling some of these businesses and organisations regularly in a feature called 'Up Close in Helston'.

This week we chat with Michael Trevaskis, Mullion Co-op's store manager.

Michael started the role in the store last year with a get up and go attitude, helping to make a difference and support the local community in challenging times.

As manager, Michael is responsible for the overall operation of the store, planning, organising, directing, and coordinating.

Michael started with the Co-op in Hayle and worked his way up, taking on all sorts of roles as a store supervisor, deputy manager and becoming a store manager in Troon, before joining Mullion Co-op in May last year.

Speaking to Nub News, Michael said dealing with customers is the best thing about his job.

He explained:

"With the Co-op being different from other retailers, the customers are at the heart of everything we do, I think doing what we do in such a customer focussed and ethical way is the real thing that makes me so proud to work for the Co-op."

The three causes Michael and the team support at the Mullion Co-op through the Local Community Fund are:

Mullion in Bloom

Mullion Football Club

Cornwall Air Ambulance

On the work they do with these local causes, Michael continued:

"We get involved with a lot of fundraising opportunities throughout the year, I find it really pleasing that the money our members raise through Membership goes towards the local causes.

"It is all well and good having a central pot somewhere and the money is distributed when people apply for it, but we know the money is going directly to those smaller local groups that might not get funding otherwise. It is about looking after the area that you live in and the communities around you, that sits very nicely with me."

The coronavirus has been one of, if not, the most challenging times for everyone in retail, how has the store been working during the pandemic?

Michael said:

"Our customers have felt comfortable coming to us rather than the bigger supermarkets. We have fewer people in the store, and there is less traffic around the village which keeps numbers coming in at a safe capacity, and customers have felt really safe because of what

we have done." Being in a smaller area, the Co-op team is all well-known and has been offering its services during lockdowns, picking up and delivering people's shopping. Just one example, Michael delivered a 96-year-old's shopping who couldn't get out and get to the shop on his way home, "it is about looking after your local community and your local people, that is just what we do," he said. Mullion Co-op also launched click and collect during the lockdowns, which meant people who didn't want to go into the store could order online and pop into the shop to pick up their shopping or wait in the car park and have it taken out to them. Michael added: "The team all get involved with everything that goes on at the store, we have a strong community feel to the team, we are like a family, everyone helps each other out and that's what makes it a great place to work. "I would like to thank all of our customers who have shopped with us. Thank you to all for sticking with us and being so understanding." Co-op membership helps support your local community, with great rewards for you too. When you buy selected Co-op branded products and services, 2p for every pound spent goes to you and we'll give the same to local communities. Join us today online at www.coop.co.uk/membership or in-store.

Carry on the conversation on our Twitter and Facebook pages. [.B]