Co-operative groups merge after vote

Two cooperative societies have merged to form a new organisation made up of more than 500 food stores as well as travel, funeral and utilities businesses.

The newly-established OurCoop has more than a million members and employs more than 13,000 people.

The company, which has bases in Lichfield and Warwick, was formed after members of the Central Co-op and Midcounties Co-operative voted to join the groups together.

Bosses said the new business would create a stronger organisation which was more competitive and capable of supporting long-term growth.

"By coming together, we can offer our members an even greater breadth of products and services that meet their needs," said chief executive Debbie Robinson.

"We have the scale and connection to generate more value through our businesses, reinvest it for the long term and return more of that value to members in ways that matter."

A co-operative is a business that is owned and run by its members who can be customers, employees or local residents.

Elaine Dean, president of the new society, added: "The launch of our new society is an historic moment for the co-operative movement.

"OurCoop reflects what makes co-operatives so different and so powerful: By working together and participating, we can create a meaningful difference."

The new business would continue to be member-owned, they added, and it followed the merger of Chelmsford Star with Central Co-op in August, ahead of this merger.

As well as the food stores, the firm includes more than 70 travel agents and more than 150 funeral homes as well as more than 40 nurseries and the UK's only co-operative utilities provider.

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