Members of the UK’s two largest independent co-operatives have given their resounding backing to proposals for Central Co-op and the Midcounties Co-operative to come together and create a new society.
Following member votes held in recent weeks, both societies have endorsed the proposals, culminating in formal approval yesterday (2 December).
This decision will create the UK’s largest independent co-operative society - a major milestone for the movement - bringing together “two regional powerhouses with the scale and capability to deliver greater value for more than one million members, 13,000 colleagues and communities nationwide,” it said.
The legal completion is expected to conclude in January 2026. Trading nationally through its food, utilities, childcare, funeral and travel businesses, the new society will “remain deeply rooted in the communities where both co-operatives were founded,” it added.
Its footprint will span Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Bedfordshire in the South and West, across the Midlands, Staffordshire and Northamptonshire, to Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Yorkshire in the North, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk in the East.
Elaine Dean, president of Central Co-op, said: “We’d like to thank members for their support and engagement through this process. Thousands from both societies have voted, asked questions and considered the proposals we put to them and the strength of the backing we’ve received gives a groundswell of support to take our new society forward.”
Irene Kirkman, president of Midcounties, added: “This is an historic moment for our two societies and the co-operative movement. The overwhelming proportion of members that 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.”
The new Society has set out a clear commitment to be a beacon for co-operation, championing the growth of co-operatives in the UK and internationally and demonstrating how co-operative models can help address the major challenges of our time.
Debbie Robinson (left), Central Co-op CEO, continued: “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 and 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.”
Phil Ponsonby (right), Midcounties Co-operative’s CEO, concluded: “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 society that builds on our shared heritage and delivers real change.”
In the coming days, members will go on to democratically vote on a new legal name for the society, to “reflect its values and strategic ambition and will be adopted following the legal completion,” a release said.
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