Central Co-op and Midcounties Co-op members approve merger

Central Co-op and Midcounties Co-op members have given their approval to the societies’ merger plans.

Members gave a “resounding backing” to proposals for Central Co-op and Midcounties Co-op to come together and create a new, and the largest, independent society.

By bringing together “two regional powerhouses with scale and capability”, it will deliver “greater value for more than one million members, 13,000 colleagues and communities nationwide”.

The move will combine their food stores to reach 500 overall, as well as their other trading businesses in utilities, childcare, funeralcare and travel.

Its footprint will span Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Bedfordshire in the south and west; Staffordshire and Northamptonshire in the Midlands; Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Yorkshire in the north; and Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk in the east.

In the coming days, members will vote on a new legal name for the society that will reflect its values and strategic ambition, the organisations said. It will be adopted following the legal completion of the merger which is expected to conclude in January. 

The merger, which was formally approved on 2 December, follows the transfer of Chelmsford Star into Central Co-op in September.

Central, Midcounties and Chelmsford Star stores will continue to trade under their existing brands, all of which carry the internationally recognised co-operative marque. The new name will apply to the society’s legal entity only.

“We’d like to thank all members for their support and engagement through this process,” said Central Co-op president Elaine Dean. “Thousands of members of both societies have voted, asked questions and considered the proposals we put to them, and the strength of the backing we have received gives a groundswell of support to take our new society forward.”

Midcounties Co-op president Irene Kirkman said: “This is a historic moment for our two societies and the co-operative movement. The overwhelming proportion of members that have voted in favour of creating our new society shows the power of co-operation in action, and as one society, united by shared values and purpose, we can deliver even more for our members, colleagues and communities.”

Central Co-op CEO Debbie Robinson said: “Creating a new society brings together the scale, reach and commercial opportunity to shape the future of co-operation in the UK. This isn’t simply about combining two organisations, it’s about building something new, something distinctly ours. Together, we can drive better value for members, create career opportunities for colleagues and strengthen the communities we serve. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine what a modern co-operative can achieve.”

Midcounties Co-op CEO Phil Ponsonby said: “The combined strengths of our new society will allow us to navigate through challenging economic headwinds and invest for the future from a position of strength. As co-operators we know we can achieve more together, and we look forward to working with our members, colleagues and partners to create a new society that builds on our shared heritage and delivers real change.”