Lincolnshire Co-operative

The Lincolnshire Co-op is an independent consumer co-operative that works in Lincolnshire and nearby places. It has over 220 places where people can shop. These include grocery stores, funeral homes, florists, crematoriums, travel agencies, post offices, and pharmacies. One special shop is Gadsby's bakery, located in Southwell, Nottinghamshire.

As a co-operative, the Lincolnshire Co-op is owned by its members. These members are more than 288,000 people, and they share in the profits. The co-op gives money back to members, invests in better services, and supports local charities and community groups. After Lincolnshire County Council closed several libraries, the co-op helped keep three libraries open for the community.

In the year 2023/24, the Lincolnshire Co-op had a total business of £375.6 million and shared £10.8 million in profits with its members. It keeps growing and serving the people in its area.

About

The Lincolnshire Co-operative helps local communities through its Community Champions scheme. Members are linked to a local cause. Every time they shop, a donation is made to that cause. This has helped many local charities and projects.

The co-operative is also known for its commitment to its employees. It holds a Platinum Investors in People award and offers special training programs. This includes a Foundation Degree in Business Management created with the University of Lincoln.

History

The Lincolnshire Co-operative began in 1861 as the Lincoln Co-operative Society. It was started by a joiner named Thomas Parker from Gainsborough. It started trading in Lincoln with 74 members and grew over time. By 2011, it celebrated its 150th birthday. There were special events, a renovated ‘birthday bus’, and an exhibition at The Museum of Lincolnshire Life. The Society also donated over half a million pounds to local good causes.

Main article: History of the cooperative movement

Trading

The Lincolnshire Co-operative runs many different shops and services. It has food stores where you can find local items like Lincolnshire Poacher cheese from Alford and Pipers Crisps from Brigg. They also have a coffee shop and pharmacies where you can get prescriptions and talk to pharmacists.

Lincolnshire Co-op offers funeral services and has its own crematorium. They also have travel branches for booking holidays, along with post offices, filling stations, and a florist. The co-op owns other businesses that help support its main services.