Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Southern Co-op celebrates 150th anniversary

Southern Co-op celebrates 150th anniversary

The local co-operative, which was the first to open a fully self-service supermarket in Great Britain, is celebrating its 150th (sesquicentennial) anniversary this Friday.

Southern Co-op, originally named Portsea Island Mutual Co-operative Society, was first formed on 24 March 1873 and is one of the remaining independent societies in the country.


Currently known for its local branches of The Co-operative Food and The Co-operative Funeralcare, it started off with just one store in Portsmouth before gradually growing to 62 grocery branches in 1939 and to more than 300 outlets in total today.

It was formed by dockyard workers tackling exploitation, inequality and life-threatening poverty. Its founders set out "to develop our Society until it is capable of supplying the wants and bestowing financial and social benefits to all people residing in the district and thus benefit the community as a whole".

Mark Smith, Southern Co-op's Chief Executive, said: "Our communities are still at the forefront of our purpose, alongside long term sustainability plans which include ambitious climate action goals and programmes that tackle food waste and support nature recovery.

"Sadly poverty remains a very real threat to our society, so together with the support of our colleagues, members, customers and partners, we are doing all that we can to build stronger, more resilient communities, helping the most vulnerable within our communities.

"This includes support for foodbanks, community fridges and pantries, as well as hyper-local charities who are making a huge difference to people's lives, helping us to create greener, safer, healthier, more inclusive communities.

Co op nostalgia

"We've faced many challenges over the last 15 decades, but I am proud to lead a successful business that provides essential services to local communities across the south, all the while helping to create a fairer society and more sustainable world."

With a purpose beyond profits, Southern Co-op provides employment for around 4,500 people across branches of its retail and funeral services, its Welcome retail franchises, free Bereavement Care service, Starbucks franchises, crematoria and natural burial grounds.

Silena Dominy, Director of Corporate Affairs, who has worked at Southern Co-op for 32 years, said: "From the very start, the co-operative had the people's best interests at heart as they created a system where profits were put back into the communities they served - whether that was through jobs, or community activities, or education.

"Across the 30 years I've worked here, I've seen a huge positive change in the organisation but all of those things are still important today as well as ensuring that sustainability is embedded into all areas of our operation."

Today, Southern Co-op is an amalgamation of what were separate co-operatives in Winchester, Farnham, Aldershot, Camberley, Alton, Andover, Basingstoke, Aldermaston, Shanklin, Cowes, Petersfield and Bognor

More for you

Volumatic welcomes new FCA rules safeguarding access to cash

Volumatic welcomes new FCA rules safeguarding access to cash

As industry leaders is cash handling, Volumatic has long supported the use of cash and the importance of maintaining access to cash for both consumers and businesses. The company recognises the importance of the new set of rules created by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) two months ago, to safeguard access to cash for businesses and consumers across the UK.

Since introduction, the new rules are intended to ensure that individuals and businesses who rely on cash can continue to access it and the outcome has already sparked the creation of 15 new banking hubs across the UK, including one in Scotland, with many more to follow.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jisp unveils new NPD service

Jisp unveils new NPD service

Retail technology company Jisp has launched an NPD service as part of its new Direct to Retailer business unit.

The new NPD service will allow brands to launch or trial new products in a guaranteed number of convenience store locations, with on the ground review of execution by Jisp’s retail growth manager team, and performance data and insights deliverable through its scanning technology and back-office systems.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tesco launches price cuts in Express convenience stores
File image of Tesco Express

Tesco launches price cuts in Express convenience stores

Tesco is slashing the price of more than 222 own-brand and branded products in its Express convenience stores.

Essentials including milk, bread, pasta and coffee are included in the lines which have been reduced in price by an average of more than 10 per cent at Tesco Express stores. The retail giant has made more than 2,800 price cuts across stores in recent months. With 2,048 of convenience stores at the end of the 2023-24 financial year, Tesco aims to benefit hundreds of thousands of customers from the cheaper deals.

Keep ReadingShow less
vape and cigarette
Photo: iStock

One in five ex-smokers in England now vape, study finds


Summary
1. One in five people who have successfully quit smoking in England currently vape, with an estimated 2.2 million individuals using e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool.
2. The increase in vaping among ex-smokers is largely driven by the use of e-cigarettes in quit attempts, with a rise in vaping uptake among people who had previously quit smoking for many years before taking up vaping.
3. While vaping may be a less harmful option compared to smoking, there are concerns about the potential long-term implications of vaping on relapse risk and nicotine addiction. Further research is needed to assess the impact of vaping on smoking cessation outcomes.


Keep ReadingShow less
Bira engages with Treasury on Budget fallout, business rate reform
(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Bira engages with Treasury on Budget fallout, business rate reform

Independent retailers association Bira has held a meeting with members of the Treasury team to discuss concerns following its robust response to the Government’s recent Budget announcement.

The Budget, labelled by Bira as "devastating" for independent retailers, was met with widespread indignation from Bira members.

Keep ReadingShow less