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BBC News
07-08-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Chelmsford Star co-op merges with larger regional group
An independent co-operative group of shops has merged with the larger regional Co-op Star Co-operative Society was founded 158 years ago and runs 34 convenience stores, an off-licence, nine funeral branches and two department most recent annual report showed its gross profit dropped year-on-year by 5.5%.Barry Wood, chief executive of Chelmsford Star, said the decision to merge with the larger Central Co-op was "rooted in a desire to protect jobs and ensure long-term sustainability". In its annual report to shareholders in January 2025, Chelmsford Star said: "The retail landscape continues to evolve post-pandemic for a further consecutive year."The year has presented challenges, with the continuing cost of living crisis affecting us all."It also pointed to "ongoing conflicts" affecting the cost of energy and takings dropped from £108m to £101m year-on-year, and gross profit decreased from £25,673 to £24, Star is due to transfer to Central Co-op - which trades across the East Midlands and East Anglia - on 15 the Chelmsford Star trading name will continue to be used Moore added: "We're joining with a like-minded co-operative that shares our values and will help carry forward the legacy of Chelmsford Star co-operative for years to come."Debbie Robinson, chief executive of Central Co-op, said: "We're committed to working closely with Chelmsford Star members and colleagues to ensure a smooth and respectful transition - one that secures long-term sustainability and allows us to continue making a real difference in the communities we serve." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Major supermarket chain at risk of closing 34 stores after 'serious financial hardship
More than 30 Co-op supermarket stores and nine funeral homes could be closed in Essex if a planned merger deal does not go ahead, Chelmsford Star Co-operative has warned. Among other locations, Co-op supermarket shops it manages in Braintree, Chelmsford, Basildon, Thurrock and Southend could be at risk. This week, Chelmsford Star Co-op admitted it was 'struggling financially' and could be forced to close if the merger does not go ahead. Last month, Lichfield-based Central Co-op opened discussions with Chelmsford Star Co-op in Essex about a possible tie-up. If it goes ahead, the deal would see a transfer of Chelmsford Star Co-op into the larger Central Co-op, which would create a society with an estimated £1billion turnover. According to Chelmsford Star Co-op, if members do not approve the deal, a string of local Cop-op shops and funeral homes could be at risk of closure. Chelmsford Star Co-op also runs two travel agencies in Essex, as well as the the Quadrant department stores in George Yard Shopping Centre in Braintree and Moulsham Street in Chelmsford. According to Essex Live, separate to the merger plans, the two Quadrant stores will close in October this year, with the society citing 'long-term and increasing financial loss', with neither store making a profit since 2008. The member-owned society which has been operating stores in Essex since the 1800s, said it could cease to exist if it does not merge with the Central Co-op. Chelmsford Star Co-op and Central Co-op have been trading for more than 320 years in total and offer services such as funerals, property investment and holidays, while running a number of Co-op convenience stores. The proposed deal requires approval by members of Chelmsford Star Co-op at two special members' meetings, due to be held on 16 July and 5 August. The deal plans must be approved by members in both meetings in order to enable the merger to go ahead. Chelmsford Star Co-op said it required the size and scale of Central Co-op's resources in order to tackle a 'changing' trading environment, which they claimed has been 'exacerbated' by changes announced by Rachel Reeves in the Autumn Budget. Swathes of firms across Britain are struggling after Reeves upped employer national insurance contribution and the minimum wage.
The Sun
27-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Major supermarket chain at risk of closing 34 stores after ‘struggling financially' in major blow to shoppers
A POPULAR supermarket chain could be shuttering 34 stores after "struggling financially". Shoppers were devastated to hear a significant number of Co-op branches are at risk of closing. 1 There are also nine Co-op funeral homes that could be forced to pull the shutters down. The string of closures would hit Essex highstreets, if a merger is not approved imminently. A spokesperson from Chelmsford Star Co-op confirmed the news, as reported by Essex Live. Locations at risk would include stores in Braintree, Chelmsford, Basildon, Thurrock and Southend among other locations, as well as two travel agencies. The society also operates branches in George Yard Shopping Centre in Braintree and Moulsham Street in Chelmsford. Chelmsford Star Co-op said it is "struggling financially" and needs to merge with the larger Central Co-op society. They claimed their issues have been "exacerbated" by increases in National Insurance contributions and the living wage. It comes as the two Quadrant stores are set to shutter in October later this year, with bosses blaming "long-term and increasing financial loss". Neither site has fetched a profit since 2008. Plans or a merger should be decided at meetings on July 16 and August 5. However, one member of Chelmsford Star Co-op, feared a merger would still see smaller store closures in villages and housing estates. They said: "I believe that there are other options, including the disposal of department stores, the sale of the quadrant department stores building in Chelmsford and the use of that to reinvest in the business." Chelmsford Star Co-op said there are no confirmed plans in place. A spokesman said: "As with any business integration, there will be a period of transition where the combined Society will review how best to organise itself to meet the needs of its members and communities. "While no decisions have been made at this early stage, we can confirm there are no planned closures of Chelmsford Star food stores, funeral homes or travel agencies as part of the proposed transfer. "Some support functions may evolve over time to ensure the organisation is fit for purpose and sustainable long-term, but this would be done with care, transparency and engagement with colleagues, members and unions. Importantly, the focus of both Societies is to safeguard as many roles and services as possible." Meanwhile Chelmsford Star execs dubbed a potential merger an "incredibly exciting moment". Chief executives of Chelmsford Star and Central Co-ops, Barry Wood and Debbie Robinson, said: "This is an incredibly exciting moment for co-operation. During the UN International Year of Co-operatives, we have a shared vision to be a leading force in the co-operative movement, realising the transformative impact that co-operatives have on economies, communities and individuals. "In an increasingly competitive marketplace, we believe that by harnessing our shared values, we will build a stronger and more secure society. "We welcome the proposed transfer and invite members to support this important moment which will deliver a future that continues to put members, colleagues and communities at the heart of everything we do.' Tony Price and Elaine Dean, presidents of Chelmsford Star and Central Co-op, added: 'Central Co-op and Chelmsford Star Co-operative are committed to putting the interests of our members first and supporting the communities where we trade. "The transfer will ensure that all members continue to have an important voice as part of a stronger, more secure Society - ready to serve them for many more years to come. "Both Boards are supportive of this transfer of engagements and the exciting opportunities that it presents.' OTHER CO-OP NEWS This comes as Co-op is rolling out a major change to stores across the country. The supermarket giant is replacing paper product tags with electronic labels throughout its whole estate over the coming months. The retailer has already made the change in 340 branches but will roll out the tags more widely. The chain said 1,500 stores will have the labels by the end of the year and will be rolled out across all its nearly 2,400 by the end of 2026. We have asked Co-op if all labels will be replaced with electronic ones in stores and will update this story when we've heard back. The electronic labels are designed and created by VusionGroup, which also works with Asda. Steven Logue, Co-op's head of operations, said: 'With convenience at the heart of everything we do Co-op is committed to continually exploring innovative technology that can improve how we operate." Co-op said the new electronic labels will show allergen and nutritional information and products' country of origin, as well as deals and savings. And, Co-op was one of a number of retailers hit by a cyber attack recently which saw supermarket stock and customer data affected. However, by May 14, the supermarket chain confirmed it was in a "recovery phase" and ready to turn online orders back on. Customers had been complaining of shortages of fresh produce, ready meals, yoghurts and confectionery since the incident began at the end of April. The attack also pushed contactless card payments offline in nearly one in 10 stores, forcing customers to pay with cash or enter their PINs at the till. The retailer also confirmed customers' private details were stolen during the attack after its IT systems were compromised. Some customers' names, contact information and dates of birth were exposed, however passwords, credit card details and transaction information were not. How to save money on your supermarket shop THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop. You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they've been reduced. If the food is fresh, you'll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time. Making a list should also save you money, as you'll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket. Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too. This means ditching "finest" or "luxury" products and instead going for "own" or value" type of lines. Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they're misshapen or imperfect. For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50. If you're on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too. Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
