A new co-operative society, OurCoop, has launched in the UK, bringing together Central Co-op, Midcounties Co-op and Chelmsford Star under one organisation.
The move creates the largest independent society, uniting more than 500 food stores and businesses in childcare, funeralcare, travel, energy and broadband, serving over one million members and 13,000 colleagues nationwide.
OurCoop said the merger would allow it to invest in long-term growth, offer greater value to members, and strengthen support for local communities across England. To mark the launch, the society is introducing a programme of member rewards and incentives.
“Our new society brings together co-operative businesses that support people through everyday life and life’s bigger moments – from feeding families and caring for children, to keeping the lights on, helping people travel and supporting them through difficult times,” said OurCoop CEO Debbie Robinson, formerly Central Co-op CEO.
“By coming together, we can offer our members an even greater breadth of products and services that meet their needs. 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.
“That’s the power of co-operation – a system where participation creates benefit and the more members participate and trade with us, the greater the impact we can have together.”
Central Co-op and Midcounties Co-op members gave their approval to merge the societies in December, following the transfer of Chelmsford Star into Central Co-op in September.
The new society’s footprint spans 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.
Central, Midcounties and Chelmsford Star stores will continue to trade under their existing brands, all of which carry the internationally recognised co-operative marque on their stores. The name, OurCoop, represents the new society’s identity and is used in dealings at an enterprise level, such as with suppliers and partners.
Robinson added: “We are building a modern, member-led society with bold ambitions. What matters most now is how we grow our society together, staying true to our beliefs while creating real value for members, colleagues and customers. We’re just getting started and I’m excited about what we can achieve together.”
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