Councillor Nova Arkney, portfolio holder for infrastructure, and local economy, said: “Richard Hughes was a true champion of Tamworth. His leadership, generosity and unwavering commitment to community values made a real and lasting difference to people’s lives.
“It’s fitting that a meeting room within the Elizabeth Bradford Business Centre, a building so closely linked to the history of Tamworth Co-operative Society, will bear Richard’s name. Specially created by a community group called Steve’s Shed, that Richard supported, makes this memorial even more special.
“The meeting room ensures that his contribution to Tamworth’s civic and charitable life will be remembered by future generations of businesses and community groups who use the building.”
Background:
Tamworth Borough Council has formally named one of its meeting rooms in the Elizabeth Bradford Business Centre in memory of Richard Hughes; former Tamworth Co-operative Society CEO.
A plaque was made by a group that Richard was involved with setting up before his passing called Steve’s Shed.
Richard Hughes sadly passed away August 2025 following a short illness. He served as CEO from January 1993 until his retirement in 2009, having first joined Tamworth Co-op in 1976. The meeting room naming recognises Richard’s decades of service to the co-operative movement and the wider Tamworth community.
Richard was heavily involved in many aspects of local life. In addition to his leadership within the Co-operative Society, he held non-executive roles with organisations including National Co-operative Chemists and St John’s Ambulance (Wilnecote division). He also served as a governor at the Heart of England NHS Trust, was a member of Tamworth Borough Council’s member nominations committee, and was president of Tamworth Male Voice Choir.
In later years, Richard dedicated much of his time to charitable work, supporting organisations such as Tamworth Heritage Trust, Home-Start, Kingslake Charitable Trust, Number Eight, Mercian Singers, Tamworth Talking Newspaper and Rawlett Trust.