The Co-operative latest news

Double delight for Co-operative’s vintage own-brand fizz

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:42:00 GMT

The Co-operative’s own-brand vintage Champagne has scooped its second major accolade in a week after winning Gold at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA). The win means the convenience retailer’s stunning own-brand Les Pionniers Vintage 2004 Champagne has beaten off stiff competition from top-drawer Champagnes and rival retailer’s fizz at the world’s two most influential wine awards, after it...

Co-operative_Academy_Tunstall_8255 [Flickr]

The Co-operative — Mon, 20 May 2013 01:39:37 PDT

The Co-operative posted a photo:

Co-operative_Academy_Tunstall_8239 [Flickr]

The Co-operative — Mon, 20 May 2013 01:39:36 PDT

The Co-operative posted a photo:

Student reporter Jamal Ali with notepad at the ready for Prince Charles during his visit to the Co-operative Academy, Tunstall

Co-operative_Academy_Tunstall_8020 [Flickr]

The Co-operative — Mon, 20 May 2013 01:39:35 PDT

The Co-operative posted a photo:

Prince Charles chats with Co-operative Young Leaders Daniel and Samantha Humphries watched by Andy Stanier, Principal during his visit to the Co-operative Academy, Tunstall

Co-operative champers outshines competition

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:04:00 GMT

The Co-operative’s own-brand champers has scooped Gold medals at the prestigious International Wine Challenge 2013, beating off stiff competition from other top-class Champagnes from leading brands and knocking spots off fizz from rival retailers. The community-based retailer’s stunning own-brand Les Pionniers Vintage 2004 Champagne collected Gold for the third year running, while The...

Barry Tootell leaves The Co-operative Banking Group

Thu, 09 May 2013 22:13:00 GMT

Barry Tootell, CEO, The Co-operative Banking Group, has chosen to step down from the business and from the Board of The Co-operative Bank plc. His responsibilities will be assumed with immediate effect by Rod Bulmer, who becomes acting CEO of the Banking Group and a Director of The Co-operative Bank plc, until a permanent replacement is announced in due course. Barry took over the role of CEO t...

The Co-operative Banking Group statement on Moody’s downgrade

Thu, 09 May 2013 22:06:00 GMT

The Co-operative Banking Group has issued the following response to the recent Moody’s rating agency downgrade: “We are disappointed by the ratings downgrade announced by Moody’s. We have a strong funding profile and high levels of liquidity, which are significantly above the regulatory requirements. “We do acknowledge, like the rest of our banking sector peers, the need to strengthen our capit...

Young adults fail to cut ties with home says new Co-operative report

Mon, 06 May 2013 01:00:00 GMT

The under 30s are finding it almost impossible to break free emotionally and financially from their parents according to a new report published today (6 May) by The Co-operative Group

Land Rover enthusiasts offered a fitting final send-off

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:04:00 GMT

An unusual version of the iconic Land Rover Defender has been unveiled and promises enthusiasts a fitting final journey in their beloved vehicle. The Co-operative Funeralcare has launched a Land Rover Defender hearse as an alternative to the traditional hearse, which will no doubt have a special appeal for 4x4 fans. The stylish black hearse - a specially converted Land Rover Defender Station...

The Co-operative Group Announcement re: Lloyds Bank Branch Assets

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group announces that it has withdrawn from the process currently being run by Lloyds Banking Group for the disposal of branch assets (“Verde”) after The Co-operative Group and The Co-operative Bank plc Boards decided that it was not in the best interests of the Group’s members to proceed further at this time. This decision reflects the impact of the current economic environment...

The Co-operative unveils its £22M state-of-the-art distribution centre in East Midlands

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:01:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group will complete the overhaul of its entire UK-wide logistics network with the official opening of its state-of-the-art distribution centre in north Derbyshire, on Monday, 22 April, which will create around 300 new jobs and employ 1,060 people. The launch of Castlewood CDC, following a £22m capital investment, concludes a project started in 2004 to transform and modernise th...

The Co-operative hits £1Million milestone for Young Carers

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:26:00 GMT

Staff at The Co-operative have reached the £1m milestone in their quest to raise the money needed to help a generation of young adult carers to change their world. The figure has been achieved less than three months after Sugababe singer Jade Ewen, herself a young adult carer, launched The Co-operative’s Charity of the Year partnership with Carers Trust. Employees have ran marathons, completed...

Study into holes could save consumers millions of pounds

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:35:00 GMT

A study into how to make holes could save shoppers millions of pounds in wasted food. After two years of intensive research a team of scientists has worked out precisely how large each hole in food packaging should be - and exactly where to place them - to make fresh produce last longer. The findings could have a dramatic effect across the entire fresh fruit and veg. industry, by extending the...

Sales of saving stamps soar at The Co-operative Food

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:44:00 GMT

Sales of saving stamps at The Co-operative Food have soared by a third, following the launch of the retailer’s pioneering new saving stamps trust fund, as hard-pressed customers take a savvy approach to saving for Christmas 2013. In the first four weeks following the launch of The Co-operative’s industry-leading saving stamps trust fund, the number of saving stamps sold increased by 33%, compar...

Co-operative calls on young people to join national board

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:33:00 GMT

The UK’s most democratic business today (28 March) announced it was on the look out for young people to help have a say in how the organisation is run. Fifteen people aged 16 to 25 from across the UK are to be recruited to a new national advisory board that will provide The Co-operative Group with young ideas and fresh innovation. The Co-operative is looking for talented and committed young...

Preliminary results for The Co-operative Group for the 53 weeks ended 5 January 2013

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Non core banking losses adversely impact Group profits Retail businesses and core Bank deliver results in line with expectations Group announces intention to sell General Insurance business FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE SUMMARY 2012* 2011 Group Sales (inc. VAT) £13.5bn £13.3bn Group Underlying Operating Profit** £54m £526m Of which - Food £288m £318m Specialist Businesses £107m £99m Banking...

The Co-operative Banking Group, part of The Co-operative Group, announces agreement of terms with Royal London for the sale of its life insurance and asset management businesses

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 07:05:00 GMT

The business to be sold includes the £20bn of assets of the CIS Long-Term Business Fund and The Co-operative Asset Management

The Co-operative sets governance diversity targets that go well beyond those of ‘PLC’ rivals

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative today (13 March) underlined its ambition to become the UK’s most representative large business in terms of diversity and governance by setting itself exacting targets for the next five years. The Co-operative will encourage the election of more women to its main boards of directors and seek to ensure that its democratically elected Area Committees are more representative of the...

Smokers’ friendships go up in smoke

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:11:00 GMT

The secret to quitting smoking is to stub out friendships as well as cigarettes if people are to succeed in giving up, according to new research. A study by The Co-operative Pharmacy * has revealed that almost one in five smokers (19 per cent), avoids their friends who tempt them to smoke as well as socialising in pubs to help them break the habit. More than two out of five smokers say that whe...

Co-operative Pharmacy launches modern apprenticeship

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 13:51:00 GMT

The Co-operative Pharmacy has announced today, in the run up to National Apprenticeship Week (11-15 March), that it is offering branch colleagues the opportunity to complete a modern apprenticeship that covers retail skills and customer service. The modern apprenticeship has been built around the Pharmacy business’ internal colleague training content and can be completed by new and existing...

Statement from The Co-operative Group on own-brand prawns

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:30:00 GMT

The sustainability of the fishing industry, both in the UK and across the world, is of the utmost importance to The Co-operative Group

The Co-operative Food raises the benchmark on farm animal welfare

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:32:00 GMT

The Co-operative Food has been ranked the highest among retailers, scoring more than double the average of other retailers and wholesalers, in a new benchmark on the farm animal welfare practices of global food companies. The Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare, supported by Compassion in World Farming and the World Society for the Protection of Animals, is the first benchmark of its kind...

For better or for worse…In secrecy and in wealth

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 09:00:00 GMT

A quarter of warring couples are potentially risking prison by hiding financial assets from partners during a divorce according to a new study published today (22 February). Each year around 120,000 * marriages end in divorce, which equates to an incredible 30,000 people risking a prison sentence. The research by The Co-operative Legal Services shows women are most likely to risk the wrath of a...

Update on The Co-operative's beef contamination test results

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:14:00 GMT

The independent tests, commissioned by The Co-operative Group, have now been completed, and have proven negative for horse DNA in all (100%) of the own-brand minced beef products tested. A spokesperson for The Co-operative said: “We commissioned stringent independent testing on our own-brand products containing minced beef, as agreed with the Food Standards Agency. “The results have shown that...

Peter Marks writes to our members to update on the beef contamination scandal

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 09:00:00 GMT

Peter Marks has today (Thursday 21 February) emailed more than a million of our members to apologise for meat contamination and explain how we are planning to put things right. You can read the full text of the letter below: A letter from Peter Marks I wanted to update you personally on the work we are doing to restore the trust of our customers and members following the discovery of meat...

It’s a record! The Coffee-powered ‘bean manchine’ zooms its way to land speed title

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:13:00 GMT

The world’s only Coffee Car - a vehicle powered by the waste product from coffee production - has buzzed its way into the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest car of its kind. Commissioned by The Co-operative Food to celebrate 10 years since it converted all its own-brand coffee to Fairtrade, the bean-powered car* reached speeds of 65.5 miles per hour and was presented with the accolad...

Co-operative calls for probate regulation

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:13:00 GMT

The Co-operative Legal Services has urged the Government to regulate probate and estates administration providers – an industry which handles assets worth over £65 billion * each year. It follows an investigation by the Legal Services Board ** which highlighted concerns about fraud, unethical sales practices and the safekeeping of consumers‘ money and other assets, plus a failure to deliver...

Peter Marks apologises to customers and promises greater supply chain rigour following meat scandal

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 10:54:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has received extensive media coverage for the leadership position we are taking over the issue of contaminated meat products

Test results update on Co-operative own-brand minced beef products

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 18:54:00 GMT

Below is a response from The Co-operative Group. The latest results of further independent tests, commissioned by The Co-operative Group, have been announced today (Friday 15 February 2013), and have proven negative for horse DNA in all of the 76 (out of the 102 own-brand minced beef products sent for testing) (75%) received back so far. A spokesperson for The Co-operative said: “We have...

The Co-operative Insurance launches smartphone app to rate safety of young drivers

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 09:47:00 GMT

Free app scores each journey from 1 to 5 Uses GPS data to measure speed, cornering, braking and acceleration, and time of day car is driven App is for drivers to ‘try before they buy’ The Co-operative Young Driver Insurance * Average motorist thinks their driving is 20% better than that of other road users The Co-operative Insurance has today launched a free Smartphone app to allow young driver...

International recognition for Manchester’s NOMA development

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:08:00 GMT

NOMA – Manchester’s sustainable 20-acres city centre development – has been shortlisted for one of the property industry’s most prestigious international awards. The £800 million scheme is in the running for the ‘Best Futura Mega Project’ award at the internationally acclaimed MIPIM Awards in Cannes, France, next month. In addition, 1 Angel Square – the new head office of The Co-operative Grou...

Smokers you might as well face it you’re addicted to....

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:35:00 GMT

Smokers trying to quit readily cave in to their cravings – and blame it all on their ‘addictive personalities’ - despite taking heed of health messages, trying alternative therapies and wanting to save cash by giving up. And even after successfully giving up, one in three former smokers admits they get addicted to something else. The survey of 2000 smokers* conducted by The Co-operative Pharmac...

Harris joins The Co-operative’s acquisitions team

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:52:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has strengthened its Food Property team with the appointment of Dawn Harris as Regional Acquisitions Manager for the London area. Dawn, from Marlow, Buckinghamshire, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the property sector, will work to identify and acquire new sites for food stores, and also store relocations, within Greater and Central London. She joins from...

The Co-operative launches pioneering new Christmas savings trust with stamp of approval from Farepack victims

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has today (Monday 28 January 2013) launched a pioneering new savings scheme trust, becoming the first retailer to protect customers paying into a saving stamps scheme. The trust, which sets a new benchmark in consumer protection following the Farepak collapse, has been created to provide additional security to thousands of Co-operative Food customers using the scheme, man...

The Co-operative hits the right note with young carers as it launches new Charity of the Year

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:25:00 GMT

The Co-operative hit the right note with unpaid young adult carers today (24 January) as it launched a “record” breaking year of fundraising for its new Charity of the Year, Carers Trust. Helping to get fundraising activities ‘rock ‘n’ rolling’, The Co-operative were joined for the launch by singer, songwriter and actress, Jade Ewen, a young adult carer herself who gave up her birthday to atten...

The Co-operative reports strong Christmas and New Year trading

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 08:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group, the UK's largest mutual and community retailer, today (15 January 2013) reports another good performance from its trading businesses over Christmas and the New Year period. In the three weeks ending 5 January, total sales in The Co-operative’s food stores (inc. VAT, exc fuel) grew by 2.4 per cent and were 2.2 per cent higher on a like-for like basis. The Group's...

New Co-operative Funeralcare TV ad launches

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Funeralcare , part of The Co-operative Group *, will unveil a new £1M TV advertising campaign today (Monday 7 January 2013). The Co-operative Funeralcare pioneered national TV advertising for the funeral industry back in 2009 and the new advert focuses on Funeralcare’s ability to personalise a funeral and offer an individual service for the bereaved at their time of need. The a...

Ethical markets remain resilient as enlightened businesses continue to force through change

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 00:30:00 GMT

Markets for ethical goods and services have remained resilient throughout the economic downturn as a progressive core of retailers and producers continue to factor sustainability such as Fairtrade ingredients into their products and services.

The Co-operative completes the highest number of store launches since the Somerfield acquisition

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:45:00 GMT

The Co-operative Food will open its 83rd new store of 2012 today (20 December 2012) as part of its long-term programme to expand and invest in its food store estate

The Co-operative Group announces Euan Sutherland as its new Group Chief Executive

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 07:03:00 GMT

The Board of The Co-operative Group announces that Euan Sutherland will become its new Group Chief Executive in May next year, following the retirement of Peter Marks.

The Co-operative reveals new policy for caring colleagues

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:55:00 GMT

The Co-operative today (18 December) announced an enhanced family-friendly people policy offering further support to its staff who are also unpaid adult carers. The UK has an estimated seven million carers and, The Co-operative’s own internal research has revealed that more than one in ten of its 100,000 employees currently look after family, partners or friends in need of help because of...

’Tis the season to tell porkies

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Pretending to love presents, passing off shop-bought mince pies as home made and covering up antics at the office Christmas party are just some of the “festive fibs” that Brits will tell this Christmas. A study of 2,000 people by The Co-operative Food shows that, on average, people will tell at least three little porkies over the festive period. A staggering 58 per cent of people confessed to...

The Co-operative bags BCSC Gold Award for Sustainability

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:44:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has scooped the BCSC Gold Award for Sustainability at the retail property industry’s premier annual awards. The Co-operative won the award for its work at Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester and its commitment to sustainable development of its food estate, as well as the environmental benefits of its BREEAM “Outstanding” rated new head office building, 1 Angel Square. More...

The Co-operative calls for payday lending reforms

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:37:00 GMT

The Co-operative is urging MPs to accept a strengthened Financial Services Bill that will give powers to the new Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to protect vulnerable customers and to curb the activity of rogue lenders. The Financial Services Bill enters its final stages in the House of Commons on Monday following Lords’ amendments which – if accepted – would include charging the FCA with...

Piper joins The Co-operative’s Property team

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:35:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has strengthened its Trading Property team with the appointment of Nicola Piper as Extensions and Development Manager. Nicola, from Bramhall, Manchester, who has worked at The Co-operative for 18 months, most recently as a project manager within the Banking Group, will work on food store extensions and new developments across the country. Before joining The Co-operative,...

Director Changes

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:30:00 GMT

The Board of Co-operative Banking Group Limited and its subsidiary The Co-operative Bank Plc announce the appointment to their Boards of Richard Coates as an Independent Professional Non Executive Director, subject to FSA approval. Richard has also been appointed Chair of the Audit Committee. Richard is a Non-Executive Director of the Police Mutual Society and has previously served as a...

You CAN Help campaign aims to feed the needy this Christmas

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Food has teamed up with ITV1 breakfast show, Daybreak, and The Salvation Army to launch the You CAN Help campaign, to help feed people in need, from all walks of life, this Christmas. Fronted by popular presenter Gethin Jones and launching on Monday 26 November, the social action campaign aims to collect as many cans of food as possible in just one week, with a target of a...

The Co-operative doubles discount on young driver scheme to combat gender directive price rises

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:10:00 GMT

Young female motorists who drive safely can beat the price hikes through use of telematics * The Co-operative Insurance doubles ‘cash back’ on Young Driver scheme ** 65% of young drivers are worried that the cost of their insurance will increase after 21 December *** The Co-operative Insurance has thrown a lifeline to young female motorists who are likely to see their insurance increase as a...

The Co-operative Group to acquire ten Costcutter stores

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:05:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has announced it is to buy 10 stores in London, all currently branded as Costcutter, for an undisclosed sum. The 10 stores, which are located in Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Brentford, will transfer to The Co-operative Group, with plans to start trading as Co-operative food stores before Christmas. Staff currently employed at the outlets, which include two Post...

Co-operative Electrical launches market first with free 60 minute time slot delivery service

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 00:30:00 GMT

As on-line electrical websites use the cheap airline tactic of charging extra for add-ons, such as delivery charges which only appear at checkout, The Co-operative will lead the way for consumers by introducing a new ground-breaking free 60 minute time slot delivery service * today (Friday 16 November 2012). The new, free offering – from The Co-operative Electrical , part of The Co-operative Gr...

Q Awards for fantastic food products

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 09:58:00 GMT

The Co-operative Food has picked up three Quality Food Awards for its delicious own-brand products. The Quality Food Awards, held last night (8 November 2012) in London, is an annual awards ceremony for food and drink products on sale in UK grocery outlets, rewarding great flavours, high-quality ingredients, excellent value and outstanding packaging. The Co-operative Truly Irresistible Stonebak...

The Co-operative Food decks the community halls

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:08:00 GMT

As the Christmas party season approaches, The Co-operative Food is getting into the festive spirit with a £10,000 party fund to give community groups and neighbourhoods across the UK the chance to win one of 100 Christmas parties. Local groups looking to organise festive fun in their village hall, community centre or nursing home can win a party pack full of party essentials for up to 50 people...

The Co-operative becomes first UK retailer to launch protected Christmas savings scheme

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group is to become the first UK retailer to launch a Christmas savings scheme trust, setting a new benchmark in consumer protection following the Farepak collapse. The new Co-operative scheme, which will be launched in the New Year, will see the implementation of a specifically created trust, giving consumers even greater protection for their Christmas savings. Full details of...

Publication of Prospectus

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:30:00 GMT

Publication of Prospectus The following prospectus has been approved by the UK Listing Authority and is available for viewing: Prospectus dated 31 October 2012 (the Prospectus ) relating to the £4,000,000,000 Global Covered Bond Programme of Co-operative Bank p.l.c., unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed as to payments of interest and principal by Moorland Covered Bonds LLP. To view the fu...

The Co-operative Bank and Camden Council help first time buyers to combat high house prices

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:30:00 GMT

Mortgage scheme launched to enable hundreds of first time buyers to beat Greater London’s high house prices House prices starting at £280,000 and mortgage rates starting at 3.99% with just a 5% deposit In a first of its kind for the Bank, Camden Council and The Co-operative Bank have joined forces to create affordable options for home ownership in the borough. With Camden being home to the thir...

The Co-operative Bank bucks the trend with funding for lending for first-time buyers

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:30:00 GMT

Bank passes on the benefits of Funding for Lending with market leading mortgage at 90% LTV On track to lend £360m to first time buyers in 2012 As part of its ongoing support for first-time buyers, The Co-operative Bank has launched a market leading mortgage for borrowers with just a 10% deposit. The 2 year fixed rate mortgage is available immediately at 3.99% with no arrangement fee and forms...

Outbreak risk from rise of ‘workers-flu’

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 12:08:00 GMT

More than one in three people fear new strains of flu and a possible outbreak of the virus, new research reveals. A study by The Co-operative Pharmacy* has highlighted that workers would contribute to the spread of any flu outbreak by going to work ill and still can’t recognise all of its symptoms. Men would be the worst culprits for spreading what they think is the virus as more than half...

TV premiere for inspirational new movie about the birth of Co-operatives

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 12:55:00 GMT

The inspirational new movie telling the story of the birth of the co-operative movement in Rochdale in 1844 is set for its TV Premiere on Sunday, 11 November. Fact is more compelling than fiction for “The Rochdale Pioneers” as it tells of the 28 men who battled a backdrop of poverty and prejudice and whose principals are still changing the world almost 170 years later. The film – based on a tru...

The Co-operative bank calls for industry action on basic banking

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 11:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank is calling for all providers to act equally in providing basic bank accounts. Following a ‘race to the bottom * ’ in basic banking which has seen some providers making their accounts less attractive to customers, the bank is calling for minimum standards to be introduced to ensure that all banks perform equally in this area. This comes as Consumer Focus today calls for the...

Co-operative Food does the Full Monty for Christmas

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Food is putting its Christmas offering on full display in a series of festive commercials, directed by Peter Cattaneo, Oscar-nominated director of the film, The Full Monty. The multi-million pound national campaign unveiled today (1 November), marks a change in marketing direction for the community food retailer and highlights how The Co-operative is helping families keep the...

Young carers can trust in The Co-operative as it reveals new Charity of the Year

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:21:00 GMT

The nation’s army of unpaid young adult carers received a welcome boost today (31 October) as The Co-operative unveiled Carers Trust as its Charity of the Year, 2013. The charity was formed in April this year when The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care came together. It is now set to benefit from The Co-operative’s 100,000 staff putting fun into fundraising to raise the money...

The Co-operative announces new city centre Food store in Glasgow

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 14:40:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has announced plans to open a new flagship food store in Glasgow city centre. It has agreed a deal to relocate its existing small convenience store, at 403 Sauchiehall Street, to a new larger unit at 143 Sauchiehall Street. Existing staff will transfer to the new store, and a number of new jobs will be created. The new store is scheduled to open in December and will have ...

COPD pilot service launched in Co-operative Pharmacies

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:30:00 GMT

An innovative health service for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has been launched by The Co-operative Pharmacy and the Met Office in preparation for winter. The service, called Healthy Outlook®, is being introduced as a pilot scheme which is being funded by the Department of Health National Innovation Fund across 26 pharmacies in Lancashire. If the pilot is successful...

Publication of Prospectus

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 12:00:00 GMT

The following prospectus is available for viewing: Prospectus for the Co-operative Bank p.l.c. £4,000,000,000 Euro Note Programme (PDF - 0.5MB) A copy of the above document has also been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at: www.hemscott.com/nsm.do For further information, please contact: Gary McDermott Tel: +44 1538 393 827 Fax: +44 1538 3...

Cupcakes and a cuppa - The perfect afternoon tea from The Co-operative

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 12:54:00 GMT

For a truly tremendous treat, The Co-operative Food is serving up a duo of new cupcakes at great-value prices. Available in two tasty and popular varieties, chocolate and vanilla, the cupcakes will be in selected stores nationwide from 17 October at just £1.50 for a pack of two. They are perfect enjoyed with a delicious cup of The Co-operative’s iconic Fairtrade 99 Tea for a spot of afternoon...

Grown-up grub for Bonfire Night at The Co-operative Food

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:17:00 GMT

For cracking grown-up Bonfire Night fayre, The Co-operative Food has a “hot” duo - The Truly Irresistible Limited Edition Bonfire Bangers and Truly Irresistible Limited Edition Chilli Chilli Bang Bang Pizza. Back by popular demand, the limited-edition products from The Co-operative’s own-brand premium range will be available nationwide for Bonfire Night. The Co-operative Truly Irresistible...

The Co-operative Group is at cutting edge of environmental sustainability

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 12:18:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has picked up the Environmental Sustainability Award at this year’s IGD Food Industry Awards. Industry think-tank, IGD, is made up of food and grocery experts and the awards recognise the achievements from across the food industry. Beating off stiff competition from companies, including Unilever and Arla Foods, The Co-operative Group was praised by the judges for its...

The history of Co-operatives in pictures: new graphic novel uncovers radical roots of UK’s Co-operative movement

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:30:00 GMT

The history and principles of the co-operative movement, which began in Rochdale in 1844, have been turned into a stunning 80 page graphic novel to shine a new light on the origins of the co-operative movement and celebrate the "most successful grassroots campaign the world has ever known." It is well established that 28 weavers and artisans got together and established a co-operative shop in...

The Co-operative Bank Lends a Helping Hand With Best Buy Mortgage Rates

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Bank offers 17 market leading mortgage rates* including products at both higher and lower LTVs Rates reduced by up to 40 bps across over 20 products The Co-operative Bank is offering a helping hand to first time buyers and existing homeowners by launching a wide range of best buy mortgage rates over the next week. On Friday (October 5) the bank is reducing rates across its 2 year and 5 year fix...

The Co-operative Bank launches first ‘customer-service only’ bonus scheme

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:39:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank today (Monday 1 October) announces the launch of a bonus scheme which rewards branch staff solely on their customer service performance.

Co-operative Bank triples renewable energy lending

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 12:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank has seen a marked increase in the number of new renewable energy projects it has funded, which has led to it almost tripling its lending to the sector in the past year. Throughout 2012 The Bank has seen increased demand from developers and community groups keen to invest in alternative energy sources. Reaffirming its commitment to the sector, as a result of the increased...

The Co-operative launches Family Law Services

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:12:00 GMT

The Co-operative today (20 September) launched its Family Law operation, promising no nasty surprises when it comes to fees and that every customer will be treated with care and as an individual. The promises are contained in the Family Law Customer Charter which sets out the five customer focussed core standards that everyone using the service can expect. The promises include fixed fees, a...

The Co-operative Pharmacy raises over £100,000 for UNICEF

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 11:26:00 GMT

The Co-operative Pharmacy has raised £101,000 for UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s organisation, at a recent charity dinner. The fantastic sum was generated by holding a black tie dinner with generous table sponsorship from colleagues and suppliers of The Co-operative Pharmacy. The event was held at The Banqueting House, Whitehall, London, on Thursday 13 September 2012. UNICEF UK...

Industry failure on financial inclusion forces the Co-operative Bank to review its basic bank account

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Bank calls for a level playing field with all providers, including new entrants, genuinely performing on issue of financial inclusion No longer offering Cashminder current account to un-discharged bankrupts * In response to a lack of positive industry action on the issue of basic banking ** , The Co-operative Bank today announces a change to its basic bank account – Cashminder, for new customer...

The Co-operative Bank Launches Market-Leading Mortgage Rates

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Rates reduced by up to 90 bps across over 20 products to support re-mortgage and first time buyers Existing customers supported with the Bank's lowest rates The Co-operative Bank is offering first-time buyers and existing homeowners a helping hand by reducing rates across its mortgage range from Friday (14 September). The new rates include a best buy 3 year fixed rate mortgage at 3.89% for 75%...

The Co-operative begins £7 million roll out of David Sands conversions

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:43:00 GMT

The Co-operative Food is embarking on a £7 million investment programme to convert all the David Sands stores into Co-operative Food outlets by the end of the year. The next three stores to get a new look, at Darnhall Drive in Perth, Dollar Road in Burntisland and Main Street in Crossford, near Dunfermline, will all open as Co-operative-brand stores on Thursday, 20 September. Three were refitte...

The Co-operative Food strengthens its commercial team

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 11:35:00 GMT

The Co-operative Food is strengthening its senior management team with the appointment of three new Heads of Commercial Trading, with a wealth of food trading experience. The trio, along with the existing senior leadership team, will deliver the retailer’s ambitious commercial trading strategy to help drive sales and further enhance the customer experience. Ian Martin has joined the business to...

Hearty additions freshen up chilled soup range for Autumn

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 10:43:00 GMT

The Co-operative Food’s range of fresh, premium Truly Irresistible soups will be enhanced with some deliciously new and exciting flavours this autumn. The sharing-size 600g soups will go into chilled aisles in Co-operative food stores from 12 September 2012, and are ideal for those looking to serve up an authentic homemade-style soup, but with little time to cook from scratch. Infused with the...

Directorate Change

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:00:00 GMT

The Board of Co-operative Banking Group Limited and its subsidiary Co-operative Bank Plc announce today that Paul Hewitt will be retiring as a Director in Co-operative Banking Group Limited and its subsidiaries with effect from 21 September 2012 after over 9 years as a Board member. A recruitment process for the replacement of Paul Hewitt will now commence. The Board would like to take this...

Co-operative Insurance rewards loyalty with new website for customers

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 11:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Insurance has launched a website giving hundreds of pounds worth of discounts and offers to customers. The new site - www.insurancerewards.co.uk - has launched with 30 benefits including motoring, travel, lifestyle and garden and home discounts, as well as offers for The Co-operative Electrical, Pharmacy and Motor Group. Offers are exclusively available to all customers of The...

Mums go back to school with ‘new school year’ resolutions

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 00:30:00 GMT

Under-pressure mums have confessed to telling porkies at the school gate to give other parents the impression they are more organised than they really are. Almost two thirds (60%) of mums with primary schoolchildren see the new school term as an opportunity to turn over a new leaf by getting super organised, but a failure to keep “New School Year” resolutions makes 45% of them feel like bad...

Which? ‘best buy’ awarded to Co-operative’s washing up liquid

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:46:00 GMT

The Co-operative Food’s Ecological Concentrated Washing-up Liquid has been awarded a coveted Which? “Best Buy” for its great quality and value. The own-brand eco-friendly detergent was awarded 90% by Which? after receiving five stars in the category of “fat removal”, and four stars for its “value for money” and “foam duration” in laboratory tests of leading branded and own-brand washing up...

Brits hide £41bn in debt from their partners

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:30:00 GMT

A new report from The Co-operative Bank has revealed the huge amount of debt - £41bn * - that people in relationships are hiding away from their other halves, and the legal implications of the secret cash stash. The study, which is the third in a series of reports by the Bank on ‘Modern Families and Households', shows that many unsuspecting, coupled-up Brits could be sitting on a debt time bom...

The Co-operative Bank Interim Financial Report 2012

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 13:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group, the UK's largest mutual business, today 23rd August 2012, releases its interim results for the 26 weeks ended 2 July 2012, which consolidate the results of The Co-operative Banking Group ( CBG ). CBG reported an operating result of £36.9m for the period (2011: £115.0m including group recharges) and a loss before tax (including discontinued operations) of £23.2m (2011:...

Interim results for The Co-operative Group for the 26 weeks ended 30 June 2012

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group posts results in line with forecasts Financial performance Financial and operational highlights Peter Marks comments Contacts Business review - Group maintains strategic progress and trading momentum across its family of strong businesses against tough trading backdrop - Short-term profitability impacted by a number of factors, most notably Bank impairments for lending to...

Food stores join forces to help Kayla

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 10:57:00 GMT

Co-operative Food and David Sands stores across Fife, Perth and Kinross are teaming up to raise money to help a Glenrothes family whose two-year-old daughter needs pioneering surgery to help her walk. Little Kayla has cerebral palsy, and her parents, Katie Bird and Grant Neilson, of Shiel Court, are trying to raise funds so she can have life-changing surgery at a specialist hospital in Missouri...

The Co-operative Food knows its onions on packaging

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:14:00 GMT

The Co-operative Food has switched the packaging on its own-brand onion range to a recyclable material, enabling 32 tonnes more packaging to be recycled per year. Changing the packaging on own-brand onions from polypropylene to polythene allows the bags to be recycled, providing a more environmentally responsible way of disposing of the packaging, which would have otherwise been destined for...

The Co-operative Pharmacy becomes carbon neutral

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 10:54:00 GMT

The Co-operative Pharmacy has become the first retail pharmacy chain in the UK to become carbon neutral. The Co-operative Pharmacy has achieved this status by reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, purchasing electricity from renewable sources, and offsetting the remaining emissions by supporting projects that either absorb or avoid the equivalent amount of greenhouse gas emissions released by...

Weighty issues for office workers

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 09:56:00 GMT

British office workers blame their colleagues for their inability to diet, it was revealed today (Friday 10 August). A new study shows that desk-based office employees put on an average of 10 pounds during their first year of employment. But rather than taking responsibility for their own weight gain, 64 per cent of people point the finger at co-workers for bringing in too many cakes and treats...

Co-operative Group Chief Peter Marks to retire next year

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:00:00 GMT

The Board of The Co-operative Group announces that Peter Marks, the Group Chief Executive, intends to retire in May 2013, aged 63, after six years in his current role and 45 years working within the wider Co-operative Movement. Peter Marks became Chief Executive of The Co-operative Group in 2007 after the merger of the Group with United Co-operatives, which he had previously led. Under his...

Co-operative Group Chief Peter Marks to retire next year

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 08:30:00 GMT

One Careplast Plasters - one year on

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:13:00 GMT

One year on from the launch of One Careplast Plasters into The Co-operative Food and Pharmacy stores nationwide, the three A-Level students behind the “One Big Idea” have travelled to Malawi to see the difference that has been made from the sales of their product. Emmie Rayat, Taylar Leak and Deryn Hertz, from Bushey Meads school in Hertfordshire, beat hundreds of entries to design a product th...

Italy meets Spain with The Co-operative’s new Truly Irresistible tapas pizza

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:53:00 GMT

Fusing the traditional flavours of Spain and Italy, The Co-operative Food’s new Truly Irresistible Tapas Pizza is a Mediterranean-inspired delight. A delicious hand-stretched stonebaked pizza base is topped with tasty chorizo, roasted red and yellow peppers, Mozzarella and Manchego cheese, tomato sauce and Kalamata olives, and served with a sachet of zingy salsa for a spicy drizzle and even mor...

Economic Downturn leads to ‘uninsured population’

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:00:00 GMT

One in five Brits does not have home insurance A quarter of the ‘uninsured’ have ditched home insurance due to budget cut-backs Careless Brits leave windows open, sheds unlocked and keep large amounts of cash in their homes Nearly a fifth of UK adults (18%) do not have home insurance * leaving families to face the financial burden of burglaries or major mishaps, new research by The Co-operative...

The Co-operative Group and Lloyds Banking Group agree non-binding heads of terms for the acquisition of the Verde business

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group hails great deal that would mark the biggest shake-up in high street banking in a generation The Board of The Co-operative Group has agreed to proceed on the basis of non-binding heads of terms with Lloyds Banking Group (“LBG”) in relation to the acquisition of the “Verde” business. The move by The Co-operative Group would create a real challenger bank on the High Stree...

‘Squeezed generation’ pays almost a fifth of wages to support parents and children

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 12:00:00 GMT

1 in 7 adults now providing financial support to both parents and children Two thirds feel this financial pressure putting them under strain Over half believe it is preventing them having the lifestyle they envisaged A new report out today (16 July) from The Co-operative Bank, uncovers a financially squeezed generation of adults who in the current economic climate are struggling to provide...

New research shows 'driving dread' among young motorists

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 11:30:00 GMT

One in ten 18 to 24 year olds has never parked their own car One in twenty will plan their route to avoid turning right at a major junction One in five young drivers has never driven on a motorway One in ten young motorists has never parked their own car, according to new research by The Co-operative Insurance. * According to the poll of 18 to 24 year old drivers, 10 per cent of those surveyed...

Payment Protection Insurance

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 11:30:00 GMT

Following an assessment of PPI claims patterns to date in 2012, in common with the experience of other historic providers of this product, the Co-operative Bank plc has booked an additional £30m provision to cover the cost of redress and administration of PPI claims. Patrick Tooher Co-operative Banking Group Tel: 0161 903 4187

The Co-operative Bank ups the ante in the savings market

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 11:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank is again increasing savings rates across its range of fixed term deposits, offering a number of highly competitive rates for savers as well as a market-leading rate on the 1 year Fixed Term Deposit of 3.5% AER * Available from Thursday 28 June, details of the new rates are as follows: Product Rate (AER) % ** Old rate 3 Year Fixed Term Deposit 4.0% Up from 3.75% 2 Year...

Statement re: Lloyds Banking Group branch assets

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 11:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group (“the Group”) today confirms that it has made good progress in the process currently being run for the sale of Lloyds Banking Group (“Lloyds”) branch assets and that the Group and Lloyds now have an understanding on the commercial terms of the transaction. This is subject to further discussions and the approval of the respective boards, the FSA, HMT and the European...

The Co-operative Pet Insurance finds the Safest Place in Britain to be a Cat

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 11:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Pet Insurance has found the safest place in Britain to be a cat, with Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk being the top place for our feline friends to live. Aberystwyth in Wales came in a serene second place, whilst Altrincham in Cheshire , a popular residence for footballers, came in third. The research, issued by the Co-operative, highlighted geographical results from insurance claim...

It’s crock ‘N’ roll at this year's festivals

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 14:49:00 GMT

Festival-goers this summer are more concerned with personal hygiene and keeping clean than letting their hair down and partying hard, according to new research issued today (20 June 2012). And music events are being invaded by an ageing generation of ‘crock stars’, with one in six festival-goers being over the age of 45 this year. The study by The Co-operative Pharmacy among 2,000 festival-goer...

Gold and silver awards for Co-operative own-brand products

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:16:00 GMT

The Co-operative Food has picked up four gold and two silver medals at the 2012 Grocer Own Label Food & Drink Awards. The prestigious awards reward the most outstanding products in the own-label category, and this year received over 700 entries. Gold medals were given out to three of The Co-operative’s premium Truly Irresistible products , including the Lemon and Poppy Seed Loaf Cake,...

The Co-operative Insurance cuts cost of pet insurance by 25%

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Pet Insurance is urging pet owners to take extra care with their animals’ health throughout the summer months, where temperatures have already recently been unseasonably high across the UK. To help pet owners safeguard their pets’ health The Co-operative Insurance is now offering a 25% discount on all pet insurance policies bought online. Despite the weather cooling down over...

Co-operative Pharmacy partners with Bupa home healthcare

Tue, 29 May 2012 16:38:00 GMT

- Pharmacy extends outpatient dispensing service; Home healthcare offering launched with Bupa - The Co-operative Pharmacy and Bupa Home Healthcare have entered into a new partnership which will see The Co-operative Pharmacy extending its hospital outpatient dispensing offering. The partnership will deliver benefits to both patients and Hospital Trusts and means that in addition to offering an...

The Co-operative announces plans for 3,000 jobs in Legal Services

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:24:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group today (24 May) announced plans to create 3,000 jobs in the legal sector as it continues to expand the range of services available to UK consumers. The Group, which already has major interests in professional services including banking, insurance, pharmacy and funerals, will establish the jobs at Co-operative Legal Services , creating the largest consumer law business in t...

The Co-operative Bank finances UK’s largest community-owned wind farm

Tue, 22 May 2012 16:08:00 GMT

A remote Scottish community is set to enjoy an economic boost of more than £20m after The Co-operative Bank agreed to finance the UK’s largest community wind farm. Ambitious residents in the Western Isles have come together to develop plans to erect the three wind turbine project on South Uist. The Stòras Uibhist Trust made the scheme possible following £1m of grant and loan funding from Social...

Double delight as The Co-operative scores twice in “Third Sector” business charity awards

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:09:00 GMT

The Co-operative scored twice in a national award ceremony designed to emphasise effective partnerships between charities and business. The “Third Sector” Business Charity Awards recognised the impact of The Co-operative’s Charity of the year partnership with Mencap and, sister charity ENABLE Scotland. During 2011, The Co-operative’s staff, members and customers raised a record £7m to benefit...

Co-operative members and staff become Habitat Heroes to celebrate year of co-operatives

Mon, 21 May 2012 10:32:00 GMT

Co-operative members, staff, Area Committee members and local volunteers in Goole joined forces to take part in one of the first “Together We Can” environmental challenges, organised by The Co-operative Membership, across the north of England. The team of fifty volunteers came together on Sunday 13 May, at The Co-operative Farm in Goole, to learn all about how to be a “Habitat Hero” and protec...

Cost of a good night’s sleep rises to £50M

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:13:00 GMT

The NHS in England is spending almost £50m each year to ensure the nation gets a good night’s sleep as job insecurity and money worries bite during the economic downturn, according to new research * out today (11 May 2012). Insomnia is a significant problem which now affects more than one in three adults ** . The Co-operative Pharmacy has investigated the provision of sleeping pills by the heal...

'The Pollinator' - our FREE iPhone game

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:13:00 GMT

Our brand new free iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch game ‘The Pollinator’ is available to download from iTunes now! 'The Pollinator' is a bee sent back from the future to save bees from extinction. Your challenge is to move through three outdoor scenes - countryside, garden and urban - collecting as many bees as you can. Click here to download.

Annual Information Update April 2012

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:00:00 GMT

ANNUAL INFORMATION UPDATE THE CO-OPERATIVE BANK PLC (the Company) APRIL 2012 In accordance with the requirements of Prospectus Rule 5.2, the following information and documents were published, or made available to the public, over the 12 months from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 in compliance with laws and rules dealing with the regulation of securities, issuers of securities and securities...

Inhaler take back scheme launched in Scotland

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:17:00 GMT

Innovative environmentally-friendly disposal scheme comes to The Co-operative Pharmacy throughout Scotland People in Scotland who use respiratory inhalers to treat their asthma and COPD can, for the first time, take steps to reduce their carbon footprint by returning their inhalers to a local Co-operative Pharmacy for recycling. Complete the Cycle, is an innovative respiratory inhaler take back...

Construction starts on the Co-operative's new 'From Farm to Fork' project in Louth

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:00:00 GMT

An award-winning outdoor learning experience, called “From Farm to Fork”, is to be launched in Louth. Work is underway on the project, which will be run by The Co-operative Farms in partnership with Lincolnshire Co-operative, following an investment of £60,000. From Farm to Fork is an award-winning initiative aimed at schoolchildren to give them a greater appreciation of the outdoors and an...

New additional to "Eat In" at The Co-operative

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:12:00 GMT

The Co-operative Food has added some delicious new main course products to its own-brand ready-to-cook Eat In range . The Eat In range provides pre-prepared meat, poultry and fish main course products, plus ready-made vegetable side dishes that are easy to cook. Tempting new main dishes, perfect for even the most discerning foodies, include an amazing rack of lamb with a caramelised onion,...

Dark clouds hang over UK smokers

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:04:00 GMT

Smokers in the UK are cutting down on the amount they light up when dark clouds loom above, according to new research by The Co-operative Pharmacy. A survey of 2,000 smokers’ workplace habits including builders, office workers, school teachers and health workers* has found that almost half (47 per cent) wouldn’t be prepared to brave the elements for a cigarette. Younger smokers were more likely...

Annual Report and Accounts 2011 and Notice of Annual General Meeting 2012

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:00:00 GMT

The Company announced its Annual Results on 29 March 2012 in accordance with the financial reporting obligations of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules. The Annual Report and Accounts 2011, including the Notice of Annual General Meeting 2012, has today been submitted to the UK Listing Authority for publication through the National Storage Mechanism where they will shortly be available for...

Co-operative Pharmacy wins outpatient dispensing contract

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:36:00 GMT

The Co-operative Pharmacy has been awarded a five year outpatient dispensing contract with Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This follows a formal tender process with an option to extend the contract for another two years. The service will be delivered for Accident and Emergency patients and outpatients from two pharmacies, one at Bradford Royal Infirmary and another at St Luke...

Resident bat discovered at Tillington

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:30:00 GMT

The 50 bat boxes installed in summer 2011 on trees and buildings at Tillington Fruit Farms were checked for the first time yesterday and one small, furry resident was recorded – a common pipistrelle! Under a licence from Natural England, each box was carefully opened and its contents inspected; this was carried out by Johnny Birks of Swift Ecology, assisted by Hannah Roberts. Many of the boxe...

The Co-operative is ‘on track’ to extend contactless payments ready for the Olympics

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:38:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group is extending its contactless payment technology to more than 200 food stores and pharmacy branches within the M25 in time for the Olympics, following successful trials. It will install the terminals at 175 food stores and 28 pharmacy branches, within the M25 in Greater London by the end of May, following successful trials at six pharmacy branches – five in Stoke-on-Trent...

Twenty per cent drop in car accidents thanks to Telematics Insurance

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative sees young driver car crashes drop by a fifth thanks to insurance scheme Average cost of a claim is 30% lower for young drivers with ‘smart box’ telematics insurance Insurance costs for young drivers nearly halved with new technology * An analysis of 10,000 young driver claims by The Co-operative Insurance shows that those with telematics or ‘smart box’ insurance are 20 per cen...

Co-operative Group Limited (CGL) has been informed by the FSA that it is a "financial institution"

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:30:00 GMT

Co-operative Group Limited (CGL), the parent entity of the Co-operative Group, has been informed by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) that it is a "financial institution", as defined in the glossary in the FSA's Handbook of Rules and Guidance. For further information, please contact: Susanna Voyle 0207 353 4200 Tulchan Communications or: Russ Brady 0161 827 5856 The Co-operative Group

The Co-operative Group delivers solid results in line with expectations

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Preliminary results for The Co-operative Group for the 52 weeks ended 31 December 2011 The Co-operative Group continues to invest through the economic downturn Financial performance 2011 2010 % change Gross sales £13.3bn £13.1bn +1.0% Group operating profit £585m £582m +0.5% Profit before tax and member payments (equivalent to the pre-tax profit of a plc) £373m £396m -5.8% Net borrowings £1.49...

The Co-operative is first consumer brand to be granted Legal Services licence

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:01:00 GMT

The Co-operative made history today (28 March) when it became the first major consumer brand to be granted alternative business structure (ABS) status under the new Legal Services Act. This means that the Co-operative Legal Services can offer the complete suite of consumer legal services which until now was only available from a firm of solicitors. Part of the Co-operative Group, Co-operative...

Brits use rogue websites for prescription medicines

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:25:00 GMT

#7 Brits are unwittingly putting their health at risk by purchasing medicines from rogue* internet sites, according to research out today (27 March 2012). A study from The Co-operative Pharmacy** has found that over 50 per cent of people who purchase drugs and other health remedies on the internet won’t or don’t know how to check they are using a reputable and regulated pharmacy. The majority o...

Volunteers begin pollinator count

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:30:00 GMT

The warm, sunny weather is certainly good news for bumblebees who are starting to look for nest sites to establish their colonies. You’ve probably started seeing some bees around yourself, and a lot of people at this time of year remark on the size on the bees that they are seeing in their gardens. This is because most of the bees that you’ll be seeing at this time of year are queen bees who...

New outpatient dispensing contract for Co-operative Pharmacy

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:09:00 GMT

Following a formal tender process The Co-operative Pharmacy has been awarded a seven year outpatient dispensing contract with Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. The service will be delivered for Accident and Emergency patients and outpatients from a purpose-built pharmacy at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and from a newly refurbished area inside Calderdale Royal Hospital. The award...

Co-operative Pharmacy’s first outpatient dispensary officially opened

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:18:00 GMT

The Co-operative Pharmacy’s first outpatient dispensary at Doncaster Royal Infirmary was officially opened this month by Chairman of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals Foundation Trust, Chris Scholey and Managing Director of The Co-operative Pharmacy, John Nuttall. Following a competitive tender, a seven-year contract was awarded to The Co-operative Pharmacy last August. Expected savings to the...

The Co-operative Bank offers first time buyers stamp duty support

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 09:30:00 GMT

New mortgage products launched to save the average first time buyer almost £1,250 Bank commits to lending up £360 million to first time buyers in 2012 With the stamp duty holiday for first time buyers due to come to an end this Saturday (24 March), The Co-operative Bank is launching a new range of fee-free products offering relief to first time homeowners who may have missed the deadline. As pa...

Youth Film Academy searching for up to 1,500 students for 'epic' summer challenge...

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:07:00 GMT

Budding young movie-makers are wanted for the cast and crew of five new feature films to be made by a youth film academy this summer. Involving up to 1,500 students in all aspects of movie making, The Co-operative British Youth Film Academy is embarking on an ‘epic’ challenge to shoot five films in five UK regions – North West, Yorkshire, East Midlands, West Midlands and Wales – during the scho...

Lights, Camera, Action! …Youth Film Academy brings unique movie-making experience to Wales

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:08:00 GMT

The silver-screen beckons for the next generation of young movie-maker as The Co-operative British Youth Film Academy today announces its arrival into Wales. The Co-operative British Youth Film Academy (BYFA) is now searching for budding talent to join the cast and crew of a new full length feature film to be shot in Wales this summer. The first college in Wales to join the ranks of the BYFA –...

Co-operative Group appoints Magliano as new brand director

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:40:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group , the UK’s largest mutually-owned business, has appointed David Magliano as its new Brand Director, reporting into the Group’s Director of Marketing Gill Barr. Magliano is a high-profile marketeer with a wealth of experience that includes marketing responsibility for the successful London 2012 Olympic bid. In his new role, Magliano will have responsibility for all...

The Co-operative reports 34 per cent rise in ‘gold’ Funeral Plan sales

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:08:00 GMT

The Co-operative Funeralcare , one of the UK’s largest providers of pre-paid funeral plans , saw a 34 per cent increase in sales of its ‘Gold’ plan, which sits at the top of its range of set funeral plans, in 2011. The increase shows that although day-to-day household budgets may be tight, people are not cutting back when planning for their final send-off. In addition, sales of personalised,...

One in five Brits has no savings

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:30:00 GMT

With many consumers continuing to feel the effects of the wider economic pressures, new research by The Co-operative Bank reveals that one in five Brits (20%) actually has no savings set aside for life’s emergencies. The findings show that in the event of an emergency, those Brits without savings would rely on other forms of borrowing to make ends meet. Over half (53%) said they would turn to...

Cost of a burglary up by a fifth in two years

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:30:00 GMT

Home theft claims cost £225 more than two years ago Number of iPods, plasma televisions, smart phones and laptops to blame for rise in cost An analysis of 20,000 home theft cases by The Co-operative Insurance shows that the cost of claims has risen dramatically over the past two years. The data shows that the cost of theft claims leapt by 8 per cent in 2010 and then by a further 9% just last ye...

A fifth of buy-to-let applications now from 'accidental landlords' says Platform

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:03:00 GMT

A fifth of Platform's recent buy-to-let business has come from ‘accidental landlords’ - where home-owners choose to rent their existing property instead of selling it when they are looking to move to a new home. The dedicated intermediary lender of the Co-operative Bank has seen significant demand for its let-to-buy range since they were launched last year. Between early December and the end of...

Ambitious communities to be ‘turned-on’ by £1m green energy support from The Co-operative

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:59:00 GMT

A £1m programme of support designed to change the nation’s relationship with energy is set to energise ambitious communities and leave a legacy for the next generation. The Co-operative Enterprise Hub , which supports the creation and growth of sustainable member-owned enterprises, has set aside £1m to dramatically scale-up the number of community-owned renewable energy projects across the...

Debt problems affecting 70% of UK adults

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT

DRIP syndrome identified – a third of people Deny, Rationalise Ignore, or Postpone debt Debt Alarm’ bell doesn’t go off until £1,250 is owed Many now turning to gambling and pay day lenders Over two thirds (70%) of UK adults * have admitted to having debt problems with almost a third of people (29%) not prepared to confront their debt issues according to new research released today by The...

And the best animal actor Academy Award goes to

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:30:00 GMT

With the highly acclaimed film ‘The Artist’ featuring dog, ‘Uggie’, in a starring role, winning five Awards at this weekend’s Oscars, The Co-operative Pet Insurance today (February 27) reveals the nation’s favourite animal movie stars of all time. Wise cracking ‘Donkey’ from Shrek, voiced by Eddie Murphy, has topped the poll of the most loved animal movie stars of all time, according to the new...

Banana sourcing policy holds key to feeding the world’s growing population says The Co-operative

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:06:00 GMT

In a move to mark this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight, The Co-operative today (Monday 27 February) announced a new banana sourcing policy, which could be the blueprint for feeding the world’s growing population. The Co-operative, which was the first to launch Fairtrade bananas into the UK, has now switched all its bananas to 100% Fairtrade, with a unique sourcing model demonstrating unrivalled...

The Co-operative Bank comments on OFT decision to investigate payday loans

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:30:00 GMT

In response to the news that the Office Of Fair Trading is to investigate payday lenders, Robin Taylor, Head of Banking at The Co-operative Bank said: “We welcome the news that this type of borrowing is to be investigated. Our research* shows that the average British adult is now £749 in debt and one in every twenty people who are struggling financially turns to a payday loan. “Having too much...

The Co-operative Bank supports existing customers by enhancing its cash ISA range

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank is rewarding existing customers with preferential rates and the launch of its new Cash ISA range. With 87% of customers yet to invest their full 2011 / 2012 ISA allowance, from Tuesday 21 February the bank is offering savers greater choice with the launch of its Select Access Cash ISA and 18 Month Fixed Rate Cash ISA products. Select Access Cash ISA In response to feedback...

The Co-operative Bank Launches New Lifetime Tracker Mortgages

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Rates also reduced across the wider product range by up to 40 bps The Co-operative Bank is launching a new range of lifetime tracker mortgages this Friday (February 17) in addition to reducing rates across its wider mortgage range. The new lifetime tracker mortgages are available at 75% and 85% LTV with rates from 2.79%. In another step to encourage movement in the housing market, the bank has...

The Co-operative approach raises ethical bar yet again

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:30:00 GMT

As the United Nations celebrates the International Year of Co-operatives, the UK’s biggest mutually owned business today (15 February) demonstrated how its longer term approach has enabled it to raise the ethical bar yet again. The Co-operative Group’s latest ethical plan, first launched 12 months ago as the most radical sustainability programme in UK corporate history, shows how many of the...

A Co-operative Battle to Save Wild Birds

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:57:00 GMT

The Co-operative Farms has joined forces with leading research charity, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), to discover the best ways of feeding starving farmland birds during the leanest months of winter. Once the trial is completed, it is hoped that supplementary feeding will become an established option in Stewardship schemes and that funding will be available for farmers to feed...

More 'black box' schemes needed to drive down insurance for young people

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:36:00 GMT

Co-operative Insurance will highlight benefits of telematics insurance to the Prime Minister tomorrow (14 February) Young drivers are on target to receive £20 million in discounts through Co-operative's scheme* Scheme has lead to a 34% reduction in the cost of car crashes** The Co-operative Insurance will share learnings from its pioneering 'Young Driver' insurance scheme with Prime Minister...

The Co-operative’s lasting legacy for young people with a learning disability

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:01:00 GMT

Young people across the UK with a learning disability have been given over £7 million opportunities to help to realise their potential as The Co-operative unveiled the total amount raised for its charity of the year during 2011. The grand total reached £7,022, 866 and, the money raised by The Co-operative’s staff, members and customers will allow Mencap and sister charity ENABLE Scotland to...

Co-operative Pharmacy extends flu jab scheme

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:38:00 GMT

The Co-operative Pharmacy is making extra stocks of the flu vaccination to its branch network in preparation for a surge in flu following recent outbreaks in Europe and in Mexico. Community pharmacies have been given an extra 30 days to vaccinate customers until the end of March in a bid to encourage people to get the jab. The latest figures show that just over half of those under 65 classed a...

The Co-operative receives 64,000 apprenticeship enquiries

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:28:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group , which is set to appoint 800 new apprenticeships this year, has received 64,000 internet enquires since it launched its scheme last June. During 2011 400 young people were recruited to The Co-operative’s Apprenticeship Academy – the most diverse scheme of its kind in the UK - and this year that figure will double. Peter Marks, Group Chief Executive of The Co-operative...

Co-operative doubles apprenticeship offering for young people

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group is set to recruit 800 new apprentices – double the number recruited last year - it announced today (2 February) in the run up to National Apprenticeship Week. Four hundred young people were recruited to The Co-operative’s Apprenticeship Academy – the most diverse scheme of its kind in the UK - during 2011, and is on track to provide 2,000 apprenticeships for young people ...

Church, charity and business leaders call for community energy revolution

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:34:00 GMT

A coalition of civil society leaders from UK organisations with over twelve million members will today (1 February) call for community energy to play a substantial role in meeting the country’s climate change targets. Leading figures from The Co-operative ; the National Trust ; The National Federation of Women’s Institutes ; the Church of England and Campaign to Protect Rural England will...

The Co-operative Bank remains committed to charity credit cards

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank today (31 January 2011) underlined its commitment to the charity card market. The Bank and Britannia, part of The Co-operative Banking Group, are one of the largest providers of affinity products in Europe, with strong partnerships and a diverse range of charities. Colin Welby, Head of Partnerships at The Co-operative Bank, said: "We remain committed to the charity credit...

Smokers ‘banned’ from lighting up at home

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:30:00 GMT

The smoking ban and stigma of lighting up has created an army of secret smokers across the UK with people claiming to have been banned from their own homes, according to new research. A study of 2,000 people by The Co-operative Pharmacy * has revealed that since the smoking ban came into force across the UK in 2007 (2006 in Scotland), one in 12 have a home smoking ban in place. More than half o...

Bill Gates and Hans Rosling address 2012 Global Poverty Ambassadors

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:21:00 GMT

Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, layed out his vision for tackling world poverty when he discussed his Annual Letter with an audience of students, international development experts, and Global Poverty Ambassadors. The 25 January event, held by campaigning group the Global Poverty Project , marked the launch of its Global Poverty Ambassadors Initiative, supported by...

Film tribute to the spirit of “the Rochdale Pioneers”

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:30:00 GMT

A major new film telling the ‘pioneering’ story of the birth of co-operatives The “inspirational” story of the birth of co-operation more than 160 years ago is to be shown in a major new feature film. The 52 minute movie is funded by The Co-operative Group - whose own origins trace back to the original ‘Rochdale Pioneers’ – to celebrate the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives,...

Directorate change

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:30:00 GMT

The Board of Co-operative Banking Group Limited and its subsidiary Co-operative Bank Plc announce today that Rodney Baker Bates will not be seeking re-appointment as a Director and Deputy Chair in Co-operative Banking Group Limited and its subsidiaries when his current term of office concludes on 31 July 2012. A recruitment process for the replacement of Rodney Baker-Bates will now commence. Fo...

Co-operative Bank funds Youth Hostel accommodation refurbishment

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:23:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank has agreed a £13m funding package with national accommodation provider YHA (the Youth Hostels Association) in England and Wales. The Bank’s specialist charity team has agreed to the funding which will be used to refurbish YHA’s 200 youth hostels, bunk houses and camping barns across England and Wales, and to refinance a debt facility. YHA has an ambitious strategy to...

The Co-operative launches largest-ever legal services recruitment campaign

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:37:00 GMT

The Co-operative Legal Services (CLS) has launched the largest recruitment drive in its history. CLS, which last week applied to become an alternative business structure, is looking to appoint up to 150 new positions across the business as it continues its expansion in the consumer legal services market. The majority of the positions will be at its Bristol operation while others will be based a...

The Co-operative Group acquires 28 Food stores

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has acquired Scottish convenience retailer, David Sands Ltd, which has 28 food stores, for an undisclosed sum. The Group’s purchase of the 28 outlets, located in Fife, Kinross and Perthshire, is the latest step in its ambitious plans to expand its 2,800-strong UK food store network by more than 300 stores over the next three years, employing up to 7,000 staff. The two...

Barn Owls Sighted in Super-Sized ‘Homes’ at Gloucestershire Farm

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:48:00 GMT

Two barn owls have been spotted in super-sized luxury “homes” put up on The Co-operative Farms’ Down Ampney Estate to help preserve the protected species. The two beautiful birds have been sighted in two of the three 10ft (3m) tall “Barn Owl Manors”, which were erected on the Gloucestershire farm as part of The Co-operative’s major wildlife initiative called Habitat Heroes. The Co-operative Far...

The Co-operative reports good Christmas trading

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group , the UK's largest mutual retailer, today (10 January 2012) reports a good performance from its trading businesses in the 4 weeks ended 31 December. Total gross sales for the trading businesses were up 3.1 per cent on the corresponding period last year with food and online electrical sales doing particularly well under tough conditions. Sales in like-for-like food stores...

The Co-operative Bank is named best current account provider 2011

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank has been named as the UK’s Best Current Account Provider by MoneySupermarket.com. Its newly launched ‘Supers’ awards recognises The Co-operative Bank as a market leader in offering great value current accounts to customers along with acknowledging the bank’s innovative products and first class customer service. Speaking of the award, Robin Taylor, Head of Banking at The...

Actor John Henshaw joins cast of new movie telling pioneering story of the birth of Co-operatives

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:08:00 GMT

A major new film marking the birth of co-operation is being filmed in the Greater Manchester area as part of The Co-operative’s activities to highlight this year as the International Year of Co-operatives. The 52-minute feature tells the story of - and gains its working-title - from ‘The Rochdale Pioneers’ and their vision for a better social order which established the co-operative movement in...

Reduced rates offer further support to existing customers

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:30:00 GMT

Reduced rates offer further support to existing customers The Co-operative Bank has further reduced rates across its entire personal loan range by 1% APR. Available from January 5 th, the reduced rates are designed to reward existing customers * and members who are taking out a new loan ** . Rates start at 6.9% APR representative on amounts between £7,500 and £14,950 for existing Privilege and...

The Co-operative Bank puts interest charges on agreed overdrafts on hold

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:00:00 GMT

As new research reveals that the average British adult accumulated just over £749 of debt last year, and the number of people amassing debt increased by 27% last year, compared with the previous year, The Co-operative Bank is offering extra help to its customers, by today removing interest charges on agreed overdrafts* for the next three months. In a unique move within the banking industry,...

‘The economic downturn’ leads to £1bn worth of angst

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:34:00 GMT

Anti-depressant and anxiety drug use has risen 26 per and cost the health service over £1billion since the start of the economic downturn in 2007, according to research issued today (30 December 2011). A study by The Co-operative Pharmacy into antidepressant and anxiety drug dispensing across over 150 primary care trusts in England found that in 2010/11 49.8 million items were prescribed, up fr...

The Co-operative passes 'green' sourcing test with flying colours

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Food has become the first retailer to graduate from WWF’s Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN) in the UK. To qualify, The Co-operative Food had to demonstrate that it used at least 95% sustainable materials for all its wood and paper-based products. Following an independent audit, the retailer’s wood and paper-based products were found to be consistently more than 95%...

Driver Jimmy comes to the rescue after power cut hits Pitlochry

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:43:00 GMT

Co-operative Food delivery driver Jimmy Batt was a local hero as he helped elderly and vulnerable people in Pitlochry when stormy weather plunged the town into darkness. Bad weather caused a major power cut in the town, affecting local homes and traders, including The Co-operative food store in West Moulin Road, which was forced to close for two days. But delivery driver Jimmy stepped in, not...

Cold and flu remedies get unwrapped at Christmas

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:40:00 GMT

Christmas will be a time of happiness and joy but will drive many to stock up on remedies for the medicine cabinet from today (Monday 19 December 2011). Office parties and family gatherings take their toll on people who are as likely to require a cold and flu cure as opposed to celebrating with mulled wine, according to new research by The Co-operative Group . Figures from over 3,800 The...

Insurer expecting rise in car crashes on Saturday

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:30:00 GMT

‘Danger Day’: 17 December worst day of year for car crashes Bumps and smashes up 94% overall in week before Christmas Ford Focus drivers in more crashes than any other road user Next Saturday (17 December) is the worst day of the year for car crashes, according to data from The Co-operative Insurance . For three consecutive years the insurance company has seen claims relating to car collisions...

Porky pets set to overindulge this Christmas

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:25:00 GMT

Turkey and all the trimmings are on the menu for 37% of household pets New research from The Co-operative Pet Insurance has revealed that it won’t just be humans sitting down to enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner this year, with over a third of animal owners revealing their pampered pets will also be having a taste of the action. Turkey, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, gravy and all the oth...

The Co-operative Group Statement re: Lloyds Banking Group branch assets

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:06:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group today confirms that it has been granted preferred bidder status in the process currently being run for the sale of the Lloyds Banking Group branch assets. There can be no certainty that a transaction will be completed or the terms on which any transaction might be concluded. Further announcements will be made as appropriate. Peter Marks, Group Chief Executive of The...

The Co-operative Group statement re: Lloyds Banking Group branch assets

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group today is pleased to confirm that it has been granted preferred bidder status in the process currently being run for the sale of the Lloyds Banking Group branch assets. There can be no certainty that a transaction will be completed or the terms on which it might be concluded. Any transaction would be subject to regulatory approval. Further announcements will be made as...

The Co-operative Pharmacy launches new pre-registration website and revamps placement schemes

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:31:00 GMT

The Co-operative Pharmacy is targeting pharmacy students with two new work experience programmes after listening to what individuals really want from their on-the-job training. The business has also launched a new website to make it easier for students to apply for the schemes. There are two training programmes: Recruitment is now underway for the 2012 summer placement which will offer a...

Most Brits fail to save for Christmas

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:30:00 GMT

According to a new survey * by The Co-operative Bank, only 42% of Brits saved for Christmas this year. The survey shows, people saved an average of £423 for Christmas, with men saving an average of £460 and women saving £400, saving £60 less than men. The research reveals, London, Northern Ireland and the North East topped the list with their savings, while the South East, Yorkshire and Wales...

Top 10 Christmas driving songs revealed

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:30:00 GMT

The Pogues, “Fairytale of New York” has topped a Co-operative Motor Insurance’s poll * to be crowned Britain’s favourite Christmas driving song. New research from The Co-operative Motor Insurance, which questioned 3,000 drivers, has revealed the Top 10 Christmas songs that road users love to warble along to behind the wheel. These are as follows: Top 10 Christmas Driving Songs 1.Fairytale of Ne...

Porky pets set to overindulge this Christmas

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 09:30:00 GMT

Turkey and all the trimmings are on the menu for 37% of household pets. New research from The Co-operative Pet Insurance has revealed that it won’t just be humans sitting down to enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner this year, with over a third of animal owners revealing their pampered pets will also be having a taste of the action. Turkey, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, gravy and all the...

Our new address revealed

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:00:00 GMT

1 Angel Square to be The Co-operative’s new home from fourth quarter of 2012

Co-operative Chief ‘drums’ up support for charity single

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:30:00 GMT

The Group Chief Executive of The Co-operative and a cast of colleagues have today (9 December) launched a charity record in aid of Mencap. With Nirvana, TOWIE and even The Wombles tipped as contenders to challenge the X-Factor for the Christmas number one spot, the band, Angel Square, with Peter Marks on drums, has released a track to raise money for young people with a learning disability. The...

New data shows that telematics is improving road safety

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:00:00 GMT

New data from The Co-operative Insurance shows that the introduction of telematics technology is leading to better driving behaviour from Britain's young road users. Intelligence gathered from The Co-operative's 'smartbox' scheme for Road Safety Week (21 to 27 November), shows that more than a third of drivers (35%) * are consistently showing 'excellent' driving while less than 5% demonstrate...

New data shows that telematics is improving road safety

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:30:00 GMT

Brits turn to drastic weight loss methods

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:30:00 GMT

A new study has today (Monday 21 November) highlighted the worrying lengths that Brits will go to, when it comes to losing weight. According to research* conducted by The Co-operative Pharmacy , one in 10 people would starve themselves to lose weight and another one in 20 would consider bariatric surgery such as a gastric band to shed the pounds. Disturbingly, the number of those willing to g...

The Co-operative schoops PRCA award for young drivers campaign

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:38:00 GMT

The Co-operative press office scooped a top gong in last night's PRCA awards held at the Hilton, Park Lane (London). The team won the Corporate Financial and Investor Relations award for their 'Young Driver' campaign, a new car insurance scheme to help cut the cost of motoring for 17 to 25 year olds. The PR team's efforts resulted in significant media coverage, including hits on BBC Radio One...

The Co-operative stages property networking events

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:13:00 GMT

The Co-operative Food’s Property team is staging two networking events in the South West and Wales to target new stores across these regions as part of its ongoing acquisitions programme. Property agents, developers and landlords are invited to meet The Co-operative Food Property team at the regional events, which are being held in Bristol on Thursday, 24 November, and Cardiff on Friday, 25...

Topping out ceremony marks milestone for our new head office

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:30:00 GMT

Construction of The Co-operative's new home reaches its highest point

Peru puts Co-operative's Fairtrade chocolate on the map

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:28:00 GMT

Do you know your deep earthy flavours from your heady spice notes? A new breed of chocolate connoisseur is emerging as shoppers choose their chocolate in the same way as they choose their wine – by the country it comes from. The country where the cocoa beans are grown helps to determine the flavour of the chocolate. Already sourcing its Fairtrade chocolate from the Dominican Republic and Ghana,...

Co-operatives signpost the way to tackle unprecedented challenges

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:30:00 GMT

The economic turbulence has blown-away the dowdy, out-moded image of the co-operative business model to reveal a new generation dedicated to tackling the unprecedented challenges facing our society, says a new report published today (8 November 2011) by The Co-operative Group . Entitled “The New Pioneers”, the report is an annual review of the work of The Co-operative Enterprise Hub* and,...

Co-operative Bank scores with Stoke City

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:00:00 GMT

Britannia, part of the Co-operative Bank has this week (09.11.11) launched a new current account in partnership with Stoke City Football Club. The Current Account Plus * , which has no monthly subscription charge and includes a fee-free overdraft, has been tailored for Stoke City supporters, who will also receive a £100 cash back ** . Supporters who open a new Stoke Current Account Plus before...

7,000 kids join UK’s biggest ever school trip

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:27:00 GMT

Energy, water and healthy living will be the highlight of the timetable for 7,000 school kids this week (7 – 11 November) as they join the UK’s biggest ever school trip to get a real taste of learning about sustainability outside the classroom. At The Co-operative’s ‘Green Schools Revolution : LIVE!’ events up and down the country, all 7,000 pupils will get to visit one of eleven UK Science and...

Co-operative Bank scores with Stoke City

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group confirms second round bid for Lloyds Banking Group

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group today confirms that it intends next week to submit a second round bid in the process currently being run for the sale of the Lloyds Banking Group branch assets. There can be no certainty that a transaction will be completed or the terms on which any transaction might be concluded. Further announcements will be made as appropriate. Peter Marks, Group Chief Executive of The...

The Co-operative Legal Services to enter family law market

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:41:00 GMT

The Co-operative Legal Services (CLS), which is at the forefront of the radical changes taking place in the delivery of consumer legal services, today (3 November) announced it is to enter the family law market. CLS has been joined by three leading family lawyers from London-based law firm T V Edwards LLP - Jenny Beck, Managing Partner; Christina Blacklaws, Partner and Chris May, Head of Busine...

Co-operative Bank spearheads new US$50m international investment scheme to support co-operatives in developing countries

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:30:00 GMT

To mark the United Nations’ (UN) International Year of Co-operatives 2012, The Co-operative Bank is spearheading a new global initiative designed to provide much needed finance to co-operatives in developing countries. The Global Development Co-operative (GDC) aims to support co-operative businesses in developing countries by raising US$50m to provide access to low cost loans for capital and...

Co-operative Bank trial offers customers personal access to Funeral Plans

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:57:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank has, from today (1 November), launched a pioneering trial to offer funeral plans to its customers through its high street branches. The trial, at 30 selected branches of The Co-operative Bank and Britannia across the UK, will offer customers an alternative way to buy a funeral plan. The Co-operative , the UK’s largest provider of funeral plans, is now offering a personal a...

Co-operative Bank spearheads new US$50m international investment

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:48:00 GMT

Habitat Heroes Help Water Voles Make a Splash Comeback at Goole Farm

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:30:00 GMT

Water voles could once again become a common sight in East Yorkshire after a project by The Co-operative Farms has shown signs of successfully protecting the species. Six new water vole populations have been found in the first full survey at The Co-operative Farms Goole estate, where a team of “Habitat Heroes” was set up earlier this year to help preserve the protected mammals. The farm at Gool...

Co-operative Bank lending to renewable energy projects hits £500m

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:30:00 GMT

• Figure set to double by 2013 • Commitment to the sector is key to maintain momentum The Co-operative Bank’s steadfast support for business was underlined today by new figures showing it has lent more than half a billion pounds to renewable energy projects since 2007. Despite these years being widely regarded as one of the most difficult economic periods in history, the Bank has reinforced it...

Charity customers double at The Co-operative Bank

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:30:00 GMT

The number of charities banking with The Co-operative Bank has doubled since 2008, a sign that third sector organisations are increasingly seeking to ensure the aims of their financial providers mirror those of the sector. The Bank’s dedicated Charity and Social Enterprise team has seen significant growth since the height of the financial crisis in 2008. Customer numbers have increased from 2,4...

Slow and steady wins the race for women drivers

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:22:00 GMT

Average female has 22 driving lessons, compared with 16 for males Females spend almost 40% more than males learning to drive Men are more likely to speed according to data New research from The Co-operative Insurance reveals the different approaches men and women take to learning to drive. The survey* highlights that while men will only undertake an average 16 hours of driving tuition, women wi...

Slow and steady wins the race for women drivers

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:30:00 GMT

• Average female has 22 driving lessons, compared with 16 for males • Females spend almost 40% more than males learning to drive • Men are more likely to speed according to data New research from The Co-operative Insurance reveals the different approaches men and women take to learning to drive. The survey * highlights that while men will only undertake an average 16 hours of driving tuition,...

Students chalk-up green investment skills in bid to save the planet

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:30:00 GMT

Young people are keen to become class acts when it comes to the saving the planet, according to a survey published by The Co-operative Banking Group. More than 80% of young people felt that it is important to learn about green issues in school, 96% are worried about people damaging the planet and, over two-thirds actively encourage or persuade their parents to do more to help to save the planet...

The Co-operative Bank cuts fixed rate mortgage range by up to 0.6%

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:00:00 GMT

Bank cuts fixed rate mortgage range by up to 0.6%THE CO-OPERATIVE BANK CUTS FIXED RATE MORTGAGE RANGE by up to 0.6% The Co-operative Bank is re-launching its fixed rate mortgage range this Friday (October 14), seeing rates cut by as much as 0.6% (60 basis points). Details of the new rates are as follows: Product New Rate Fee LTV Reduction 2 year fixed rate 3.39% £999 75% 20 bps 3.99% £999 85% 2...

A new bank in town

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative opens an instore bank in Cranbrook Cranbrook will this week get a new instore bank in town when The Co-operative Bank opens its doors to the public at their new instore bank inside the Co-operative Food store on the High Street. This new bank will offer a full range of retail and business banking services to Cranbrook’s 6,000 residents. It is one of five instore banks to be...

Canny customers finding ways to save this Christmas

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:17:00 GMT

Saving stamps are seeing a revival at Co-operative food stores as savvy shoppers find new ways to spread the cost of Christmas. This year, The Co-operative is expecting its canny customers to cash in £2.5m worth of saving stamps, more than 50% more than the £1.7million spent on saving stamps for the whole of 2010. The Co-operative’s saving stamps scheme enables shoppers to buy £1 stamps over th...

Peter Marks joins colleagues in 150ft abseil through the new head office

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:00:00 GMT

£8,000 raised for MENCAP

Co-operative launches Europe's largest private flu jab scheme

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:56:00 GMT

Over 100,000 Co-operative Group employees are set to receive a free flu jab in Europe's largest ever private sector flu vaccination programme. Absenteeism from colds and flu costs UK businesses £1.1bn* each year, according to Co-operative estimates. The staff, who work in more than 4,500 locations across the UK, will be offered the jab either at 42 workplace clinics** or via 400 of The...

State of Britain's Pet Health Revealed

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:00:00 GMT

New research by The Co-operative Insurance uncovers the state of Britain's pet population's health, with the figures showing that owners spend a sizeable £326 per year paying for treatment and taking time off work to look after their ill animals. Pet owners spend £326 * on average every year looking after ill animals. One in five pets have been taken to the vets in the past year. Winter is the...

The Co-operative gives young drivers the chance to insure their car for free

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:00:00 GMT

With more than 2,000 drivers passing their test on average each day * , The Co-operative Insurance is giving all young drivers another chance to celebrate with the opportunity to get one year’s insurance for free. To mark the launch of a new Facebook page for The Co-operative Insurance, drivers can share their story of what passing their test means to them via The Big Test application on the...

The Co-operative bank offers new select access saver account

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank has some welcome news for savers this week (29 September 2011) with the launch of a new Select Access Saver account at a rate of 2.25% gross. The Select Access Saver account is available to all UK residents (16 or over), with a minimum opening deposit of £500. The new savings account benefits from an attractive interest rate, plus the freedom to access the money when neede...

Getting onto the road costs young drivers £4,459

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:04:00 GMT

The average cost of getting onto the road for the first time is now £4,459, according to new research by The Co-operative Insurance . This includes the total cost of driving lessons, road tax, driving tests and insurance, in addition to buying a first car. According to data, the average 18-year old owns a Vauxhall Corsa worth £1,450 and will have to pay more than £2,000 for insurance alone. The...

Children teaching grown-ups a lesson or two about green issues

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:17:00 GMT

Children are resorting to “green pester power”, pushing their parents to act more sustainably – and their efforts are paying off, according to a new report published today (20 September). Half of parents say they struggle to answer their children’s questions about green issues – more than half for instance, incorrectly put the blame for climate change on carbon monoxide. But six in ten say thei...

Sports stars get behind The Co-operative's commitment to governments pledge to get kids active

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:25:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group today launched a pledge to back the Government’s Public Health ‘Responsibility Deal’ to encourage more people to become more physically active. The Co-operative, which is already committed to inspiring young people to lead an active lifestyle, launched a pledge with its partner Activate Sport – the UK’s leading sports and activity camps for children – committing, by 2012,...

The Co-operative bank is doubling the money for Wateraid and Greenpeace

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank is giving £30 for every WaterAid and Greenpeace credit card * that is opened during September. Greenpeace and WaterAid offer standard credit cards to supporters, with both receiving £15 for every account opened, but during September this will double to £30. WaterAid, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, has raised more than £245,000 through its partnership...

The new bank in town

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 10:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank has embarked on a major transformation of its Britannia branches, enabling customers to open current accounts and carry out everyday banking activities * in their local branch. Against an industry backdrop of continued bank branch closures, which has left 1,000 local communities without a local branch ** , this move means there are now an additional 245 places to carry out...

The Co-operative adds 245 more places to bank to the high street

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative backs fund to help riot-hit businesses

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:46:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has donated £100,000 to the High Street Fund , set up to support small businesses affected by the urban riots of August 2011. The Fund has been established to provide emergency financial help to small businesses in England that suffered material disruption, damage or destruction in the riots. Peter Marks, Group Chief Executive, said: “Small businesses are vital to the...

Interim results for The Co-operative Group for the 26 weeks ended 2 July 2011

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Results in line with expectations: The Co-operative Group continues to invest and modernise Financial performance Financial and operational highlights Peter Marks, Group Chief Executive Contact details Financial overview Financial performance H1 2011 £m H1 2010 £m Group sales (incl. VAT) 6,891.7 6,950.9 Underlying Group operating profit* 275.1 308.1 Underlying profit before payments to and on...

Rotherham charity funding boost to help teens 'get sorted' with numeracy

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:00:00 GMT

A Rotherham charity has received a funding boost of almost £9,500 from Britannia, part of The Co-operative Financial Services, to launch a new programme to boost numeracy and literacy skills of young people in the town. The donation, made by the financial services provider’s charitable Foundation, will enable Get Sorted Music to initially reach around 80 young people, using song writing skills,...

Shirley Valentine moments lead to sexual infections

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:30:00 GMT

Summer thrills are leading to unwanted souvenirs for travellers seduced by the sun, sea and the promise of sex, according to research out today (18 August 2011). A study by The Co-operative Pharmacy , part of The Co-operative Group , shows a 22 per cent summer surge in visits to sexual health clinics from May to September* while more than one in three** Brits abroad admit to having had...

Down Ampney Farm all of a flutter after arrival of feathered friends

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:44:00 GMT

The Co-operative farm at Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, is all of a flutter after the arrival of a pair of feathered friends.

Member, remember the 30th of September - The Co-operative has extended the deadline for unison members

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank and Britannia are extending, for the last time, its current account offer to UNISON members until 30 September 2011 *. The current account on offer is based on the bank’s popular Current Account Plus, offering: • Secure online banking • UK call centres open 24/7 • Fee-free £200 overdraft facility • Cheque book • Debit card • FREE cash withdrawals in UK • Regular statements...

The Co-operative and care international launch innovative three-year partnership to support female entrepreneurs in the developing world

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative and CARE International UK today (17 August) officially launched an innovative three-year partnership which will see £1.5m channelled to support entrepreneurs in the developing world by the end of next year, the majority of whom will be women. The innovative scheme called lendwithcare.org encourages people in the UK to lend relatively small amounts to small scale entrepreneurs...

The Co-operative is first insurer to reward safe young drivers with cash back

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:31:00 GMT

88% of young motorists will receive an average £102 in cash-back This is on top of an average £505 saving on premiums for majority of drivers* Nearly 90% of motorists with The Co-operative’s Young Driver insurance will see over £100 returned to their bank accounts this month, after proving themselves as safe drivers. The cash-back is a reward to motorists who have kept to speed limits, avoided...

The Co-operative is first insurer to reward safe young drivers with cash back

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:00:00 GMT

• 88% of young motorists will receive an average £102 in cash-back • This is on top of an average £505 saving on premiums for majority of drivers * Nearly 90% of motorists with The Co-operative’s Young Driver insurance will see over £100 returned to their bank accounts this month, after proving themselves as safe drivers. The cash-back is a reward to motorists who have kept to speed limits,...

Bank and win with Chelsea Football Club

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:00:00 GMT

Here is your chance to win an amazing day trip to Chelsea’s Cobham Training Ground for you and a friend to watch the first team train, plus a new Chelsea shirt and a Football in the Community training session. All you have to do to be entered into the prize draw is to open a new Co-operative Bank Current Account Plus before the 30th September * . The account gives Chelsea supporters a current...

The Co-operative Bank offers home contents cover for free

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Insurance is offering customers six months free contents cover when they take out buildings insurance for their home until 31st October 2011. Customers who take advantage of the deal could save an average of around sixty pounds * . Lee Mooney, Head of Home Insurance at The Co-operative Insurance, said: “In today’s climate where money is tight, paying to insure your home content...

The Co-operative Bank prepares for a FunFest

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 09:30:00 GMT

Staff from The Co-operative Bank are organising a FunFest in aid of The Co-operative’s Charity of the Year, Mencap. The FunFest will be held at the Red House Farm, Dunham Massey, Altrincham on 11th September and will be packed with fun activities for the whole family including a giant maize maze, the biggest bouncy castle in the North West, a rock climbing wall, live music and stalls offering...

Britannia foundation donation transforms Devon playground

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 09:30:00 GMT

Children at a Plymouth primary school are hop, skip and jumping for joy after scooping a £2,500 donation from Britannia, part of The Co-operative Financial Services, to transform their playground and make maths fun outside the classroom. The donation, made by the financial services provider’s charitable Foundation, has replaced Holbeton Primary School’s much loved but faded markings to provide ...

One in six face weight discrimination

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:30:00 GMT

Brits are turning to obesity drugs to beat the bullies as one in six claim to have faced discrimination because of their weight. Research1 by The Co-operative Pharmacy has revealed almost one in five people aged between 18 and 35 years old have been victimised over their weight with women the most likely to be ridiculed about their bodies. Depression and stress was the greatest influence to...

Co-operative Pharmacy expands services for Muslim community

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:27:00 GMT

The Co-operative Pharmacy is extending its dedicated healthcare service for members of the Muslim community by offering a meningococcal (ACWY) vaccination package to pilgrims travelling for Hajj and Umrah. The service is in partnership with Novartis Vaccines and The Muslim Council of Britain. In addition to offering tailored medicine checks and stop smoking advice throughout the rest of July an...

Bristol pupils learn about pondlife during visit to Co-operative Farms

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:05:00 GMT

Budding David Bellamys from a Bristol primary school got their hands dirty putting the finishing touches to a wildlife pond at The Co-operative Farms’ Down Ampney estate . The year three school children, aged seven to eight-years-old, from Little Mead Primary School, Gosforth Road, took a break from the classroom to learn about food and farming as part of The Co-operative’s From Farm to Fork...

Neville Richardson to leave CFS, Barry Tootell appointed Acting Chief Executive

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:17:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has today (Friday 22 July) announced that Neville Richardson has advised that he has decided to step down as Deputy Chief Executive of the Group and Chief Executive of its financial services business, Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) and will be leaving the Group later in the year. Mr. Richardson joined The Co-operative Group in August 2009 when CFS merged with...

Neville Richardson announcement

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has today (Friday 22nd July) announced that Neville Richardson has advised that he has decided to step down as Deputy Chief Executive of the Group and Chief Executive of its financial services business, Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) and will be leaving the Group later in the year. Mr. Richardson joined the Co-operative Group in August 2009 when CFS merged with...

Provisional findings clear joint venture

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:33:00 GMT

The Thomas Cook Group , The Co-operative Group and the Midlands Co-operative are delighted the Competition Commission has provisionally cleared their merger to create the UK’s largest multi-channel travel retailer, and welcome their provisional conclusion that the joint venture will not result in a substantial lessening of competition. Assuming the final report confirms today’s news, the merge...

The Co-operative Bank's Eurozone debt exposure

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 11:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank was not asked to participate in the European Banking Association (EBA) Stress Test exercise that was published on 15th July 2011. In line with the Financial Policy Committee recommendation for disclosure this release provides figures for The Co-operative Bank as at 31 December 2010. The disclosures are broadly based on principles outlined by the EBA. As part of the...

The Co-operative Financial Services life and savings review announcement

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) today announces the outcomes from the strategic review of its life and savings business. These are: It has entered into exclusive talks with Royal London to sell its life insurance subsidiary, including the £15bn of assets in its Long Term Business Fund (LTBF) and The Co-operative Asset Management (TCAM) which manages the fund. A further update will be...

Reducing needless A&E visits could save NHS millions

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:30:00 GMT

Nose bleeds, stubbed toes and sprained muscles are among ‘emergencies’ Brits would attend A&E Departments for treatment, according to research issued today (14 July 2011). An analysis by The Co-operative Pharmacy of A&E attendances over four years has revealed that each year two million* Britons visit A&E Departments unnecessarily, costing the NHS £136 million** - the equivalent of employing...

The Co-operative calls for crack down on dubious claims to kickstart wider personal injury reform

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:30:00 GMT

Amongst the broad range of initiatives, The Co-operative is calling for far tougher penalties to be introduced for firms who are profiteering now and illegally at the expense of others. The Group which has a significant presence within the UK insurance market through The Co-operative Insurance as well as a growing Legal Services business wants the legal and regulatory framework to be tightene...

The Co-operative calls for crack down on dubious claims to kickstart wider personal injury reform

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group today (12 July) announced a number of customer-focused initiatives to deal with the increasing and unwelcome obtrusiveness of the claims management sector, which is contributing heavily to spiralling claims and insurance premiums. Amongst the broad range of initiatives, The Co-operative is calling for far tougher penalties to be introduced for firms who are profiteering...

The Co-operative's Highland Court Farm produces its first fruit

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:08:00 GMT

The Co-operative Farms has produced the first stone fruit from Highland Court Farm in Kent - the latest addition to its fruit-growing operation. British Sasha cherries grown, picked and packed at Highland Court Farm , near Canterbury, have just gone on sale in Co-operative food stores, after The Co-operative Farms leased the estate’s five farms, pack house and cold store early this year The...

An apprentice’s story

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:30:00 GMT

Meet Ashley, an apprentice working on our new head office

Co-operative Group suspends News of the World advertising

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has taken the decision to suspend temporarily any further advertising and promotional activity with the News of the World until the outcome of the investigation is known. The Group is a consumer-owned business which adheres to strong ethical standards. These allegations have been met with revulsion by the vast majority of members who have contacted us. We would urge...

Co-operative Group suspends News of the World advertising

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:02:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank and Britannia increase rates on Fixed Term Deposits by up to 0.4%

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank and Britannia will be raising rates on their Fixed Term Deposits on Friday (24th June) by up to 0.4%. These will offer customers a highly competitive rate in-branch and are also available online and via the telephone. One, two and three year Fixed Term Deposits (FTDs) have been re-priced to offer a better rate of interest to savers. This is an increase of 0.4% for a term o...

Co-operative members join in "Market Beesearch"

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 11:39:00 GMT

As part of its on-going Plan Bee Campaign , The Co-operative is mobilising some of its six million members to help conduct an annual census of bees which has been dubbed “market beesearch”. The volunteer bee counters will be taught how to find and identify different bee species such as the white-tailed bumblebee that can often be found nesting under garden sheds and the early bumblebee that can...

80% of UK population have money worries

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:30:00 GMT

Research by The Co-operative Bank has revealed that the majority (80%) * of UK adults are worried about the state of their finances, with all areas of family finances being scrutinised with a view to save money. The top money worries causing sleepless nights are as follows: Money Worry Percentage 1. Utility / energy bill price rises 21% 2. Personal Debt 21% 3. Fuel price rises / transport costs...

The Co-operative wins Green Retailer accolade

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:47:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has been named Green Retailer of the Year at the prestigious Grocer Gold Awards for the second year running. The Co-operative beat off competition from a number of other businesses, including Tesco, at the event hosted by leading trade magazine, The Grocer, which recognises the best of the best in the retail industry. The Green Retailer Award goes to the business that has...

The Co-operative teams up with Cadbury Twirl to raise £50,000 for Mencap

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:12:00 GMT

Cadbury Twirl has teamed up with The Co-operative to raise £50,000 for The Co-operative Group’s Charity of the Year, Mencap and ENABLE Scotland.

The Co-operative Bank scores with new accounts for Chelsea fans

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank has this week (16 th June) launched two accounts in partnership with Chelsea Football Club. The Bank’s Current Account Plus , which has no monthly subscription charge and includes a fee-free overdraft, has been tailored for Chelsea supporters. Additional benefits for fans include a gift card to spend in the club shop or online store. It is also launching an instant access...

The Co-operative provides funding boost for next generation of young movie-making talent

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:16:00 GMT

A professional youth film company that has worked with over 10,000 young people in the past year has received a massive boost with The Co-operative Group announcing its continued support and funding until at least 2014. Forming an integral part of its commitment to Inspiring Young People , The Co-operative’s £1.2 million, six year, partnership with The Co-operative British Youth Film Academy...

The Co-operative unveils groundbreaking apprenticeship academy

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:17:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group will today (9 June) launch the UK’s most diverse and ambitious Apprenticeship Academy providing 2,000 jobs over the next three years. The £9 million academy will offer young people transferrable skills, competitive salaries and qualifications - not just a job. It is The Co-operative’s vision that eventually all new recruits under 25 will be part of the Academy. The...

Generous Co-operative members give £3m profit-share to good causes

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:30:00 GMT

Generous members of the Co-operative Group have donated more than £3m of their annual profit-share to charities and community groups. Over two million members receiving a payment in the next few days have elected to give all, or part, of their share of the profits to charity, meaning that £3.2m will be distributed amongst local community groups across the UK. Last year, the Group’s 5.8million...

The Co-operative starts legal revolution in high street bank branches

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 11:30:00 GMT

Customers of The Co-operative will this week find themselves at the forefront of a high street revolution, when for the first time they can access legal services through their local bank. The initiative is being pioneered by The Co-operative Legal Services (CLS), which has teamed up with its sister organisation, The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS), in order to assess how legal advice can ...

The Co-operative starts legal revolution in high street bank branches

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group shortlisted for Design Patron Award 2011

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has been shortlisted for the North West Business Insider Design Patron Award 2011 for the NOMA development.

Warring couples fight like cats and dogs over who gets the pets

Mon, 30 May 2011 10:00:00 GMT

Research by The Co-operative Pet Insurance has revealed that a fifth (20%) * of separating couples with pets have fought for custody of their animal when their relationship failed. The survey has shown that pets have cemented their role as a key member of the modern family. Traditionally, separating couples have argued about the division of possessions such as TVs and cars. However, with 20% of...

The Co-operative restores high street banking in response to community campaign

Mon, 30 May 2011 10:00:00 GMT

A town left without a bank will this week see a new branch on its high street when The Co-operative Bank opens its doors to the public. The 9,000 residents of Horbury (West Yorkshire) were left without a branch when the last bank left last year. Now, following a 1,000-name petition asking for The Co-operative to open a bank within its existing food store, residents’ wishes will be granted. It i...

The Co-operative Financial Services offers assistance to those affected by the volcanic ash disruption

Wed, 25 May 2011 10:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) is offering help and advice to customers affected by the volcanic ash disruption. We would like to reassure customers who have travel insurance through The Co-operative Insurance that we will honour claims for the delay or cancellation of flights and / or accommodation on an ex-gratia basis, subject to standard policy limits. We recognise the worry that...

The Co-operative launches one stop shop to deliver mutual public services

Tue, 17 May 2011 10:55:00 GMT

A one stop shop offering expert advice and practical assistance to those looking to establish alternative ways of delivering public sector services was launched today (17 May) by The Co-operative Group , the UK’s biggest mutual organisation. Public Service Mutuals , is a joint venture set up by the Group in conjunction with leading law firm Cobbetts that specialises in the mutual sector and...

Report shows green investment bank could create 6,500 jobs in community renewables

Mon, 16 May 2011 16:27:00 GMT

Around 6,500 jobs would be created in the small scale renewable energy sector if Green Investment Bank (GIB) gives the appropriate financial backing, according to a new report by The Co-operative Bank and accountancy firm, Grant Thornton UK LLP. The report, outlined in a letter sent to Business Secretary Vince Cable, today (16 May) demonstrates the economic return on investment that GIB could...

The Co-operative Bank and Britannia reduce mortgage rates and reintroduce 2 year fixed rate product

Mon, 16 May 2011 12:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank and Britannia has launched a new two year fixed rate product and reduced rates on a number of other products in their mortgage range. The new two year fixed rate product is available at 75% and 85% LTV and the full details are as follows: Product Rate LTV Fee 2 Year Fixed Rate 3.59% 75 £999 2 Year Fixed Rate 4.19% 75 £0 2 Year Fixed Rate 4.39% 85 £999 2 Year Fixed Rate 4.8...

Sick Brits ‘dying of embarrassment’

Mon, 09 May 2011 09:14:00 GMT

Embarrassing health problems are driving Brits to desperate measures according to research out today (9 May 2011). The Co-operative Pharmacy study* has revealed that two in five people would rather go untreated for a health issue because they are uncomfortable asking for help, with teenagers the most likely to suffer in silence. Fear of a humiliating trip to the pharmacy has led to many people...

The Co-operative gets a taste for mobile marketing

Tue, 03 May 2011 14:36:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group is linking with O2 and Coca Cola to become one of the first UK supermarkets to take advantage of mobile proximity marketing. From tomorrow (4 May) until 14 June 2011, customers within 0.5 miles of a Co-operative food store will receive a text message offering them a free 500ml bottle of Dr Pepper at their nearest Co-operative store. The initiative is being supported by O2...

Co-operative revolutionises green education

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:03:00 GMT

An extensive, multi-channel green education programme that will revolutionise the way young people learn about sustainable and healthy living was unveiled today (26 April) by The Co-operative . From today, all schools are invited to join The Co-operative’s Green Schools Revolution by registering at www.greenschools.coop , which will give them free online access to a wide range of cross-curricul...

Cyber-kids increase holiday burglary risk warns report

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMT

A stark warning is being issued to parents ahead of this month’s Easter break, with figures revealing the extent to which their children’s social media habits are increasing the risk of holiday burglaries. The findings, published by The Co-operative Travel and The Co-operative Insurance, reveal that 51% of children regularly update their social media accounts to say when they are due to go on...

Cyber-kids increase holiday burglary risk warns report

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A stark warning is being issued to parents ahead of this month’s Easter break, with figures revealing the extent to which their children’s social media habits are increasing the risk of holiday burglaries. The findings, published by The Co-operative Travel and The Co-operative Insurance , reveal that 51% of children regularly update their social media accounts to say when they are due to go on...

Households to spend £267 celebrating the Royal Wedding

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMT

With the final countdown to the Royal Wedding well underway, new research from The Co-operative Bank highlights that households are set to spend an average £267 celebrating the occasion. The findings show food and drink are expected to be the main areas of spending to commemorate the event, with a combined average spend of £126. However travel (£41) new outfits (£42) and decorations (£29) are...

Bee roads to act as main routes for pollinators

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative today (April 12) launched an ambitious project to instigate a series of “Bee Roads” across the country which will act as food-rich main routes for pollinators. As part of its extended £750,000 Plan Bee campaign, The Co-operative will help identify and convert corridors of land to create and secure habitats for pollinators. By encouraging and supporting landowners to create...

Brits abroad fly the flag for royal wedding

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:30:00 GMT

British holidaymakers will toast the royal wedding with a drink in a bar whilst wearing Union Jack bikinis and shorts, according to a poll of more than 1,300 travellers. The Co-operative Travel quizzed holidaymakers about their plans for the wedding, and found that one in five planned to wear patriotic clothes abroad, and that one in six intended to take bunting with them. A third of respondent...

Marple banking on success as The Co-operative Bank branches out

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 09:30:00 GMT

School pupils joined colleagues from The Co-operative on Friday (8 April) to officially unveil a new bank on Marple’s high street. The students from All Saints Primary School joined bank branch manager, Clare Scholes, to cut the ribbon and declare The Co-operative Bank open for business. The new bank is located within The Co-operative Food in the Ridgedale centre on Hollins Lane, and will give...

The Co-operative Investments today (1st April) revised final bonus rates for its With-profits policies.

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Investments today (1st April) revised final bonus rates for its With-profits policies. Key points: · The with-profits fund delivered an investment performance with a return of 12.5 per cent during 2010. · Changes in final bonus rates for traditional with-profits policies have resulted in the payout on a maturing 25 year endowment mortgage being 2.9 per cent higher. · With-profi...

Revitalised Co-operative Group delivers improved performance across its family of businesses

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 08:42:00 GMT

Preliminary results for The Co-operative Group for the 52 weeks ended 1st January, 2011 Annual Report 2010 download Financial performance Financial and operational highlights Peter Marks comment Enquiries Additional information Annual Report 2010 download Download the full Annual Report 2010 (PDF 6 MB) If you use access technology to view PDF documents, go to the access.adobe.com (opens in new...

The Co-operative Financial Services establishes the Reclaim Fund

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Financial Services is pleased to announce that its application to establish a central Reclaim Fund for dormant account monies on behalf of the industry has been approved by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The new Fund will be known as Reclaim Fund Ltd, and forms a wholly owned subsidiary of The Co-operative Financial Services. It will operate independently with an...

Co-operative crowned Responsible Retailer for fourth year running

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:26:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has been crowned Responsible Retailer of the Year at the prestigious Oracle Retail Week Awards 2011 , which recognise the very best in UK retailing. It is the fourth year running that the consumer-owned retailer has taken the fiercely contested title, but the judges said The Co-operative was a clear winner and still "streets ahead" in the responsible retailing stakes. The...

The Co-operative awards milk contract to Robert Wiseman Dairies

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:19:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has today (16 March 2011) announced that it has awarded its own-brand milk contract to Robert Wiseman Dairies under a new two-year agreement commencing August this year.

The Co-operative Insurance launches groundbreaking new Young Driver Insurance

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:14:00 GMT

The Co-operative Insurance has today launched a groundbreaking new Young Driver motor insurance product, which calculates premiums based on driving behaviours and rewards safe driving.

The Co-operative Insurance launches groundbreaking Young Driver initiative

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:00:00 GMT

First UK insurance product to reward safe driving through discounts Regular feedback enables young drivers to improve their driving Tackles rising cost of motor insurance with ‘pay how you drive’ technology The Co-operative Insurance has today launched a groundbreaking new Young Driver motor insurance product , which calculates premiums based on the driving behaviours of 17 - 25 year olds. For...

Arrival of Enterprise Hub signals exciting co-operative future in Scotland

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:30:00 GMT

Scottish communities are set to receive a massive boost following the launch today (Friday, 11 March) of The Co-operative Enterprise Hub , a business support service dedicated to the creation and growth of member-owned enterprises. Announced in Glasgow, The Co-operative Enterprise Hub - a £7.5 million investment in the sector by The Co-operative Group , the world’s largest consumer co-operative...

The name is NOMA: £800m regeneration of central Manchester launched to world property market

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:17:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group unveils 4m sq ft of ‘socially responsible’ development at MIPIM 9 March 2011 Cannes: The Co-operative Group has today revealed its detailed plans for an unprecedented, mixed-use city centre redevelopment that will transform Manchester’s Northern Gateway into a remodelled and enlarged district, to the international property community. The new district at the heart of one o...

Britannia scores with launch of football linked current accounts

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank and Britannia this week launched a duo of exclusive current accounts in partnership with Premier League football clubs. Supporters of Sunderland AFC and Everton FC and will be the first football-fans to benefit from current accounts provided by a major bank. The current accounts are based on The Co-operative Bank’s Standard Current Account, with additional benefits includi...

The Co-operative urges consumers to “join the revolution”

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative today (7 March) launched a major new communications programme calling upon consumers to “join the revolution” and help secure a more balanced and sustainable future for the UK

Pet death as traumatic as losing a relative or friend

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:30:00 GMT

With one of the biggest events in the pet calendar, Crufts, just around the corner new research from The Co-operative Pet Insurance has revealed that nearly a third (30%)* of animal owners believe that the death of a pet can be as traumatic as losing a relative or friend. Over a quarter of those polled believe that the death of their pet was as difficult emotionally as the death of a family...

Youth Film Academy launches search for budding young movie-makers

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 09:14:00 GMT

A professional youth film company is searching for young movie-making talent for its latest full-length feature-films to be made in four UK regions during this year’s summer holidays.

Britannia and The Co-operative Bank reward loyalty with new ISA rates

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:30:00 GMT

Britannia and The Co-operative Bank have launched a range of new fixed rate ISAs, offering competitive rates with fixed terms until April 2012 / 2013. Customers who have a current account with The Co-operative Bank or who hold a maturing ISA with the bank or Britannia are being rewarded for their loyalty with a preferential interest rate. Customers who switch their current account to The...

The Co-operative launches most radical corporate ethical plan and encourages customers to join the revolution

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:01:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group encourages customers to Join The Revolution as it announces the most radical sustainability programme in UK corporate history that will spearhead its membership drive and help build a more sustainable economy.

First of more than 300 apprenctices now on new Co-operative Head Office site

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:35:00 GMT

The first of more than 300 apprentices who will work on the building of The Co-operative Group’s head office in Manchester city centre are now on site. 12 apprentices are currently working on the Group’s £100m new home on Miller Street, which is being built by BAM Construction. The Co-operative and BAM Construction are working with Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Greater Manchester Employers...

Heritage apple juice makes welcome return

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:05:00 GMT

A heritage apple drink, made from 1,000 varieties of rare apple varieties, is now back on sale in Co-operative Food stores after a successful launch last year.

Amorous partners main cause of distraction for car drivers

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 10:30:00 GMT

Engaging in amorous behaviour is the top distraction when driving with a partner, according to new research by The Co-operative Insurance . Flirting and getting frisky behind the wheel is the number one driving distraction for nearly a quarter of people (24%). The survey of UK car drivers who are either married or in a relationship, shows that distractions from a partner have led to a car...

Children in the UK lack basic knowledge to avoid serious illnesses

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 10:30:00 GMT

Children continue to be at risk of catching serious illnesses such as Swine Flu because they have not been educated about the simplest and most effective protection – hand washing - according to research released today (3 February 2010). The study, commissioned by The Co-operative Pharmacy , has revealed that nearly two in three parents fail to ask their child to wash their hands when carrying...

New inhaler recycling scheme is a breath of fresh air

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:56:00 GMT

People with respiratory illnesses can now recycle their inhalers thanks to a new initiative launched by The Co-operative Pharmacy and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The scheme – a first in Europe – is part of an initial six-month trial in partnership with eco-friendly manufacturer, TerraCycle UK. Approximately 35 million GSK respiratory inhalers, including 25 million Ventolin packs are used in the UK...

Schools unite to form Uk’s first schools co-operative

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:30:00 GMT

More than 100 primary, secondary schools and colleges in England are set to pool resources, expertise and buying power in the first organisation of its kind in the UK – the Schools Co-operative Society (SCS).

Shock and Ore: Tarnished Earth Street Gallery In Birmingham

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:30:00 GMT

Tarnished Earth, a dramatic street gallery of photographs telling the story of one of the world’s biggest ecological disasters, is set to remain in Centenary Way, Birmingham, until 13 February before continuing on its tour of the UK.

Savvy shopping will knock 58% off the price of your holiday

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 09:52:00 GMT

Holidaymakers could be wasting hundreds of pounds by failing to get the best prices when booking flights, exchanging currency and arranging extras such as hire cars

Soap stars signal the start of The Co-operative’s support for Mencap and Enable Scotland

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 13:59:00 GMT

Soap stars Natalie Cassidy and Alan Halsall joined forces today - Friday, 21 January - to cheer on staff from across The Co-operative Group as it started its year of fundraising for new Charity of the Year partner Mencap and, sister charity, ENABLE Scotland . Natalie, a Mencap ambassador who reprises her role as Sonia Fowler in tonight’s Eastenders, is a two times winner of a British Soap Award...

The Co-operative Group appoints Gill Barr to top marketing role

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 12:14:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group – the consumer-owned retailer and financial services business – has announced the appointment of Gill Barr as Group Marketing Director. Barr takes on the role vacated by Patrick Allen, who left in July last year. She will join the Co-operative Group at the end of January. Barr was previously at MasterCard where she recently completed an interim assignment as Head of...

The Co-operative calls for moratorium on shale gas extraction in the UK

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 00:30:00 GMT

The Government should impose an immediate moratorium on the extraction of natural gas from the UK’s shale formations until all the ecological implications are fully understood. That is the conclusion of a carefully considered report commissioned and issued today (17 January) by The Co-operative to coincide with the UK premiere of the award winning film, Gasland, which shows the astonishing...

The Co-operative Farms heads up the 2011 Oxford Farming Conference

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Farms heads up the 2011 Oxford Farming Conference

The Co-operative Group reports solid trading results for the fourth quarter of 2010

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 07:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group , the UK’s largest mutual retailer, today announces a solid trading performance for the fourth quarter, against the backdrop of a tough trading environment, exacerbated by the severe weather conditions. Across the Trading Group – which encompasses all Co-operative Group retail businesses, but excludes financial services – like-for-like sales fell by 0.6%* in the 13 weeks ...

The Co-operative drives down the cost of motoring

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 16:41:00 GMT

Soaring motoring bills could be cut by a tenth with a new scheme launched by The Co-operative Motor Group.

Projects can bank on more grants from Britannia

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 12:55:00 GMT

Branches of Britannia across the UK are urging community groups, charities and schools to apply to its Community Fund and charitable Foundation after the mutual financial services provider opened its doors to new applications for 2011. Britannia, part of The Co-operative Financial Services , awarded grants and donations approaching £1/2 million during 2010 and, is again supporting projects to...

Unsafe sex the night before leads to morning after pill

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:30:00 GMT

Thousands of women risk waking up on New Years Day with more than a hangover as over one in five blame partying with drink or drugs for not using contraception with a new partner, figures* reveal today (1 January 2011).

The biggest switches of 2010 revealed

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 15:00:00 GMT

From the formation of the coalition government, to Tiger Woods turning from family man to serial adulterer, new research * conducted by The Co-operative Bank current accounts has revealed the biggest ‘switches’ over the course of 2010. The survey of 3,000 Brits also highlighted other popular switches, including Robbie Williams’ emotional reunion with his Take That band mates, Adrian Chiles and...

It's a cracker! Pull Gary Barlow with The Co-operative

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 09:58:00 GMT

The Co-operative is offering smartphone users the chance to win money-can’t-buy Take That tickets with its new virtual Christmas cracker mobile phone app

Christmas wish granted to Horbury High Street

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:30:00 GMT

Christmas has come early to Horbury’s high street with the news that The Co-operative Group will be opening a new bank in the town next year. The bank, which will operate inside the Co-operative Food store, will give residents access to a full range of day to day personal and business banking services. The Co-operative plans to open the bank by June 2011. It is likely to create four new jobs. R...

Brits set to spend £100m on pampered pets this Christmas

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:30:00 GMT

Pets are set to be the real winners this Christmas with the nation planning to spend almost £100 million * on our feline friends and canine companions over the festive period. According to new research by The Co-operative Insurance , this Christmas dog and cat owners are planning to spend 10 per cent more on their pets than last year, with an average of £11.78 being spent per pet on an array of...

The Co-operative bounds into the Pet Insurance market

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Insurance has strengthened its customer proposition with the launch of a new, affordable pet insurance product. From today, The Co-operative Insurance, will be offering dog and cat owners the peace of mind that if their animal is ill or injured, at home or abroad, their treatment will be covered. Prices start from £10.69 per month for dog cover and £6.32 for cat cover with...

The Co-operative bounds into the Pet Insurance market

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:28:00 GMT

The Co-operative Insurance has strengthened its customer proposition with the launch of a new, affordable pet insurance product . From today, The Co-operative Insurance , will be offering dog and cat owners the peace of mind that if their animal is ill or injured, at home or abroad, their treatment will be covered. Prices start from £10.69 per month for dog cover and £6.32 for cat cover with...

Risky Christmas cocktail of frisky fifties and unsafe sex

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:12:00 GMT

The stereotypical image of sexually promiscuous teenagers has been dispelled as a myth today (6 December 2010). New research reveals that the current crop of youngsters are four times more likely to hold on to their virginity than older generations. A study* ahead of the Christmas party season into the sexual habits of 3,000 people by The Co-operative Pharmacy shows that one in five teenagers...

70% of cash-strapped Brits to make Christmas trimmings

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:30:00 GMT

Nearly three quarters of people (70%) will be making cutbacks on spending this Christmas, new research * by The Co-operative Bank has revealed. According to the findings, although one in four Brits (25%) are yet to start their Christmas shopping ** , friends and family won’t be the beneficiaries this year, as nearly a quarter of people (23%) are officially tightening their purse strings when it...

Generous Co-operative members give £1m dividend to good causes

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:30:00 GMT

Generous members of The Co-operative Group have donated more than £1m of their interim dividend to charities and community groups. In the first half of the year, the Group’s 4.8 million members who used their dividend card, earned a total of £16.9m* and those who have accumulated at least £2 will be receiving a payout in the next few days. However, because half of those receiving a payment have...

Britannia in Dorchester lends a hand to house hunters

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:00:00 GMT

People buying houses for the first time were given a helping hand by staff at the Britannia branch in Dorchester. The branch on South Street hosted its first late-night Mortgage Clinic to help members of the public with queries relating to their home-loan. Laura Cheffey, Branch Manager, said: “We mainly spoke to first time buyers, who are looking to get a foot on the property ladder. The curren...

Rising agricultural star is top of the crops

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 16:09:00 GMT

A young woman with a passion for farming and agriculture has been named “Rising Star of The Year” by The Co-operative Food , which employs just over 80,000 people. Lucy Mason, 29, from Hereford, picked up the award at The Co-operative’s Good With Food Awards, which celebrate the great work of individuals and teams across The Co-operative’s food business over the past 12 months. Lucy, who is...

40,000 children get lessons in food and farming thanks to The Co-operative

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 15:59:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group’s ground-breaking educational project “ From Farm to Fork ” is celebrating a major milestone after giving 40,000 children valuable lessons in farming, food production and healthy eating. From Farm to Fork is an award-winning outdoor learning experience, which began at The Co-operative’s Stoughton farm in 2005, in response to an increasing lack of awareness amongst British...

Breakdown… don’t be left shivering about town

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 15:00:00 GMT

With weather forecasters predicting that the current cold snap may last for some time, new research from The Co-operative Insurance highlights the prevalence of breakdowns and the most common motor maintenance mystifiers. The research highlights that whilst on average just under half the driving population have experienced a breakdown in their vehicle, an unlucky 1 in 100 have broken down over ...

Future Travel gets a Co-operative re-brand

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:28:00 GMT

Future Travel is to be re-branded The Co-operative Personal Travel Advisors as the business capitalises on the opportunity to be become the only homeworking superbrand in the UK. The Co-operative is ranked in the top 20 of British brands and it is this – along with The Co-operative Personal Travel Advisors’ position as the biggest ABTA bonded homeworking organisation – that the leaders of the...

Santa fears the wurst as Germany corners the christmas market

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:25:00 GMT

Santa may have more time to concentrate on wrapping presents after being ousted by German markets as the number one way Brits are choosing to get in the festive spirit. According to research by The Co-operative Travel*, trips to see Santa in Lapland have fallen by over a quarter (26%) compared to last year. In contrast, visits to German markets, both in the UK and Germany, have rocketed. Trevo...

Boost for disabled travellers

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:20:00 GMT

Disabled travellers will find it easier to get the perfect holiday on the high street, as The Co-operative Travel announced that staff at a further 47 branches have undergone specialist training to ensure that they are up-to-speed with all aspects of holidays for people who require specialist travel. This takes the number of disabled friendly branches across The Co-operative network to 89. As...

Co-operative Pharmacy wins national award

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:25:00 GMT

A Co-operative pharmacist and her team from Fife are celebrating after winning a prestigious national award. Pharmacist Lucia Castagnetti and the team from The Co-operative Pharmacy in Crossgates received the accolade for Pharmaceutical Care at The Scottish Pharmacy Awards held recently at The Thistle hotel in Glasgow. Lucia was a joint winner at the awards which were organised by pharmacy...

Britain's young are misunderstood, says The Co-operative

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:30:00 GMT

An alarming disconnect between the generations is highlighted by a new survey which dispels the widely held myth that young people just want to be famous. The research released today (11 November) by The Co-operative as part of its 'Inspiring Young People’ campaign, shows that more than half of adults (58 per cent) think that the younger generation just wants fame and celebrity status. The...

The Co-operative wins national business award for Corporate Social Responsibility

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:40:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group’s leadership position in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has again been recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony. The Group won the award for CSR at the influential ninth annual National Business Awards in partnership with Orange held at Grosvenor House in London Picture caption : Robin Fieth, Finance Director, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and...

The Co-operative Travel wins top industry award

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:18:00 GMT

The Co-operative Travel has been voted ‘National Travel Retailer of the Year’ at The British Travel Awards (BTA). It is the second consecutive year the business has collected the travel industry’s most prestigious prize. The business also collected the best tour operator award for Central and Northern Europe. The awards – held at Battersea Evolution in Battersea Park, London - are described by...

Ethical savings and investments up a third

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:00:00 GMT

The amount of money saved or invested ethically by consumers has shown its biggest annual increase in a decade according to a new report released today (6 November) by Co-operative Financial Services (CFS). Total money invested ethically rose 34 per cent to £19.2bn, from £14.3bn in the previous 12 months. In comparison, total deposits and investments grew 15 per cent over the same period ....

Co-operative Bank launches Scottish charity unit

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank’s ambitious plans for growth north of the border were underlined today (4th November) with the launch of a new Scottish charity and social enterprise team. The specialist unit will be based in Edinburgh and Glasgow and hopes to offer the Country’s charitable organisations an alternative to the traditional banks. The Bank believes its relationship approach, co-operative...

Britain’s largest farmer flies the flag for environmental stewardship

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 12:44:00 GMT

The Co-operative Farms , Britain’s largest farmer, is flying the flag for environmental stewardship as it extended its commitment to the Entry Level Scheme (ELS), which supports farmers in making environmental improvements to their land. The Co-operative Farms has seen measurable results from the work it has done on its farms as part of ELS, which has included reducing pesticide use and leaving...

Passengers will fly less to avoid APD rise

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:30:00 GMT

Holidaymakers will book fewer flights or take routes with a lower air passenger duty (APD) rate in order to avoid paying the tax, which rises steeply on Monday* (1 November), according to research** by The Co-operative Travel. The travel industry will be hard hit by the rises as the survey highlights that almost half of people say that they will take fewer flights because of the price increases...

Tillington fruit farm is on Countryfile

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:30:00 GMT

The BBC’s John Craven enjoyed a day of mellow fruitfulness as he joined apple pickers at our Tillington fruit farm in Herefordshire, to film an Autumn Special for Countryfile. The popular TV presenter spent the day getting to grips with harvesting on the farm’s apple orchard, for the special edition of the programme that was broadcast on October 31st on BBC 1. Farm Manager William Barnett (left...

Over five million households in the UK have no home insurance

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Research released today (26 October) by The Co-operative Insurance and housing and homelessness charity Shelter has revealed that over a fifth (5.41 million) of households in the UK have no insurance protections in place. One fifth of the UK households are uninsured * 42% of people say they can’t afford home insurance On average those insured are underinsured by £4,650 Despite the winter month...

10 year Britannia partnership gives Everton £1.1 million boost

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Britannia and Everton Football Club are marking the 10th anniversary of their partnership this weekend (30 October). The decade-long collaboration has raised more than £1.1 million for the Toffees through Britannia savings accounts and mortgages linked to the Club. Britannia, part of The Co-operative Bank, is celebrating the anniversary at Everton’s next home game against Stoke City this Saturd...

Over a third of social networking website users put themselves at risk of burglary

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Over a third * of UK adults are regularly using social networking sites to update people on their actions and whereabouts, without consideration of the risks associated – according to research released today (October 22) by The Co-operative Insurance. 36% update on their actions and whereabouts on social networking websites 66% use social networking websites to ‘snoop’ on others Nearly a fifth...

Half term holidays Costa lot less

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 10:06:00 GMT

The price of a family holiday to Turkey this school half term is down by a third on this time last year, as holidaymakers take advantage of some excellent deals to enjoy the last of the summer sun.

7.6 million working days lost due to flu

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 15:15:00 GMT

A total of 7.6 million working days are lost in the UK because of flu each year, costing the British economy £1.35bn according to new figures released today (18 October 2010) by The Co-operative Pharmacy . A survey of more than 3,000 people by one of the UK’s leading pharmacies reveals that last year, flu accounted for the most number of days lost (1,141) among short-term illnesses. After flu,...

Landmark deal to create the UK’s largest travel retail network

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 07:00:00 GMT

More than 1,200 stores, 345 homeworkers, 148 franchises come together to serve more than 4.3 million customers annually In a landmark deal, Thomas Cook Group plc and The Co-operative Group have today announced they have agreed a merger of their high street travel and foreign exchange business, creating the UK’s largest high street travel retailer and the second largest provider of retail foreig...

The Co-operative Pharmacy raises £100,000 for UNICEF

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 14:18:00 GMT

The Co-operative Pharmacy has raised £100,000 for UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s organisation, at a recent charity dinner hosted by ITV Granada journalist and presenter, Paul Crone. The fantastic sum was generated by holding a raffle and auction amongst staff and suppliers at Manchester Cathedral last Friday (24 September). UNICEF UK ambassador, Ewan McGregor, thanked The Co-operative...

Co-operative Bank grows business lending by 40%

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:08:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank’s prudent business model has enabled it to increase lending to business by 40 per cent. Since 2007, a period when many of its competitors firmly closed the door to companies wanting to borrow, the Co-operative has lifted business borrowing from £6.2bn to £8.7bn. Further evidence of the Bank’s sustainable business model and financial strength have supported growth in its...

Back to school for The Co-operative Travel

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:29:00 GMT

Pupils at Burbage Junior School in Leicestershire were among the first to receive their sustainable tourism awards from The Co-operative Travel, following their participation in a nationwide scheme aimed at encouraging responsible tourism. Suzanne Thorpe is pictured with Burbage Junior School Headteacher Richard Harris and pupils from Year Five (now in Year Six). Suzanne Thorpe, Manager of The...

Switch over to free benefits with The Co-operative Bank

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank is offering customers complimentary access to its market leading Privilege and Privilege Premier Packaged Current Accounts for a 12-month period. This equates to a subscription fee saving of up to £114 and access to a range of practical, usable benefits worth up to £600, including: Worldwide travel insurance Mobile phone insurance Exclusive discounts on a range of financia...

Continued success for The Co-operative Travel online

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 13:15:00 GMT

The Co-operative Travel’s online presence has continued its success with an increase in bookings, visitors and time spent on the site during 2010. The website, re-launched at the beginning of 2009 as www.co-operativetravel.co.uk , experienced massive growth last year, achieving a sales increase of more than 300 per cent on 2008. 2010 figures have already surpassed this, with sales projected to...

Podcast keeps Co-operative staff informed of Head Office developments

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 11:57:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has launched a new podcast designed to keep its 120,000 staff across the UK up to speed with the developments at its new head office being built in Manchester. The podcast , which will be produced periodically between now and the opening of the Group’s new £100m home, is part of a commitment to communicate progress to both staff and the public. The Group will move into t...

Rother Valley MP, Kevin Barron visits The Co-operative Pharmacy

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 11:42:00 GMT

Rother Valley MP, Kevin Barron, visited The Co-operative Pharmacy’s Bawtry Road branch in Wickersley on Tuesday (21 September). Mr Barron, who is also Chair of the All-Party Pharmacy Group and Co-chair of the Associate Parliamentary Health Group, listened to staff and observed the pharmacy’s health services in practice which include medicine use reviews and a minor ailments scheme. With a new...

RNID and Co-operative partnership scoops top charity award

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:46:00 GMT

Hearing loss charity RNID and The Co-operative are celebrating today after scooping the prestigious Corporate National Partnership of the Year award at the Charity Times Awards 2010. Beating charity heavyweights like Macmillan, NSPCC and The Prince’s Trust, RNID and The Co-operative swooped in to claim the top prize. The award was given to the partners following the success of their Charity of...

First finance and business academy launches in North West

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:30:00 GMT

The £22 million Co-operative Academy of Manchester has been officially opened in Higher Blackley, North Manchester. The city’s business leaders, including Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council and Peter Marks, Chief Executive of The Co-operative Group, gathered to welcome the new year-seven students on their first day. It is the only specialist Finance and Business...

Britain’s biggest farmer, The Co-operative Farms, signs up to be a ‘Promise Partner’

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:07:00 GMT

The Co-operative Farms , Britain’s biggest farmer, has signed up to become a “Promise Partner”, supporting the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) drive to help reduce death and injury in agriculture. The “Make the Promise. Come home safe” initiative raises awareness of common hazards and risks, encouraging farmers to think more about their safety, not only for themselves and their livelihoods,...

Continued progress and growth for The Co-operative Group

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:30:00 GMT

Interim Results for the 26 weeks ended 3rd July, 2010 * Interim report 2010 download Financial and operational highlights Social goals Peter Marks, Group Chief Executive, comments Additional information Enquiries Financial performance 2010 (26 Weeks) Growth vs 2009 (28 Weeks) Group revenue £6.9bn +8% (£6.4bn) Underlying Group operating profit ** £307m +14% (£269m) Underlying profit befor...

Paul scores with Stoke city season ticket win

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Lucky Stoke city football club fan, Paul Burton, received more than just a new savings account, when his bank gave him season tickets to watch his beloved side. Paul, a long standing Potters supporter, was entered into the competition to win the tickets after he opened a Britannia ‘save and support’ account linked to the club. The pair of season tickets was presented to Paul by Stoke city winge...

Revealed… The UK’s most distrusted professions

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:30:00 GMT

The results of research * conducted by The Co-operative Bank current accounts has revealed that bankers, MPs and estate agents are amongst the most distrusted professions in the UK. Smooth talking politicians topped the poll with 57 per cent of the vote, closely followed by bankers with 43 per cent. Top 10 Most Distrusted Professions in the UK Politicians Bankers Journalists Car salesmen Esta...

1000th prisoner banks on fresh start

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:00:00 GMT

A pioneering scheme to provide bank accounts for prisoners has reached the 1,000 milestone at HMP Forest Bank, Greater Manchester. Introduced as a pilot project in 2006 by The Co-operative Bank in conjunction with Kalyx, who manage the category B prison in Salford, this innovative partnership approach allows prisons to offer basic bank accounts to prisoners prior to their release and, has been...

Co-operative Bank staff stub it out for theatre debut

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Staff at The Co-operative Bank in Swindon have been helping local students to give up smoking. The branch on Regent Street was turned into a studio for the morning when a local theatre company filmed a DVD to encourage teenage smokers to kick the habit. The sequence, which will form part of the hour long documentary, will show how much money students could have in their bank accounts in 20 year...

Mobile phone hygiene risk to millions of people in the UK

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:30:00 GMT

New technology, from smart and mobile phones to laptops, could be spreading illnesses and potentially killer diseases because of poor hand hygiene, according to research released today (16 August 2010) by The Co-operative Pharmacy . Each year, more than 750 people die and almost one million people ¹ are ill with bugs which can be passed on or contracted by not washing hands. As part of its...

Rates cuts on think credit card gives boost for ethical consumers

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank has reduced rates on its think credit card next week as a reward to ethically minded consumers. The bank’s ethical credit card will see interest rates cut to 0% p.a. for three months on purchases made with selected partners including IKEA, Lush and trainline.com Balance transfer rates will be reduced from 7% p.a. to 3.9% p.a. for six months with no fee The headline rate wi...

Britannia helps Potters fans give club £7 million boost

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:00:00 GMT

With the Premier League kicking off this weekend, Britannia has announced that its savings accounts linked to Stoke City Football Club have raised more than £7 million for the club. The donation is the sum total given to the Premier League side through Britannia’s ‘Save and Support’ accounts since they launched 13 years ago. The savings accounts, available for children and adults, allow footbal...

Co-operative Financial Services Named World's Most Sustainable Bank

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 14:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) has won the prestigious FT Sustainable Bank of the Year award, beating runner-up HSBC and 110 other financial institutions from 44 countries in the process. The highly contested global award recognises leadership and innovation in social and environmental banking and was announced at a ceremony in London, attended by business leaders from all continents...

RNID launches first of 'Hear to Help' projects supported by The Co-operative Group

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:51:00 GMT

A pioneering project, providing vital encouragement and support to help people adjust to wearing hearing aids has been launched in Leeds by RNID - the first of 21 such projects being launched across the UK over the next 12 months.

The Co-operative urges fasting Muslims to quit smoking during Ramadan

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Pharmacy is extending its award winning Ramadan campaign to encompass stop smoking advice to Muslim patients during Ramadan. A total of 82 Co-operative Pharmacies located in areas with a high proportion of Muslim customers, have been specially trained to offer a free tailored “medicines check” service which now incorporates stop smoking advice. Although Muslims who are ill can...

The Co-operative Financial Services boosts mortgage options with “mix and match” proposition

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank and Britannia have enhanced the flexibility of its mortgage range by allowing customers to ‘mix and match’ mortgage (link to: new “your mortgage features” page) deals for only a single application fee. Borrowers will be able to fix and track different amounts of their home loan with no additional restrictions - meaning they can combine any proportion of the two mortgage...

Co-operation helps homeless stay safe in the sun

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:46:00 GMT

A unique scheme to protect homeless people against the health risks associated with sun exposure is now underway. The Co-operative Pharmacy with the organisation, Sunwise, is supplying free factor 30 sun cream and after sun to the homeless in 14 UK cities during the summer months, to help shield them from one of the fastest growing forms of cancer in the UK – skin cancer 1. Following the initia...

Families cash-in on summer holiday price crash

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:21:00 GMT

A dramatic fall in summer holiday prices is benefiting families who normally face significant increases during the school summer break. As the traditional school holiday getaway begins this Friday (23 July), research by The Co-operative Travel of over 3,500 bookings has revealed that the prices for family holidays have fallen by as much as 34% since last summer*. As well as being a boost for ca...

The Co-operative Pharmacy trial contactless payments

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:26:00 GMT

The Co-operative Pharmacy is to trial contactless payment in its branches after joining forces with Barclaycard.

Central Reclaim Fund from The Co-operative Bank

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank is pleased to offer support to the rest of the industry and Government by establishing administration of the Central Reclaim Fund. As this is a complex undertaking, and the first time that such a scheme has been set up in this country, there are a number of processes that need to be completed before the Fund is ready to begin accepting monies. We are currently in the proce...

The Co-operative to create apprenticeship academy as part of £21m campaign to inspire young people

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group today (19 July) launched a £21m campaign to inspire young people including an ambitious new Apprenticeship Academy that will eventually offer all young staff transferrable skills, competences and qualifications - not just a job. The new Co-operative Apprenticeship Academy is a key element of The Co-operative’s multi-faceted campaign, created to help reverse the negative...

‘The Med’ to lose status as number one holiday spot by end of 2011

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:36:00 GMT

Research by The Co-operative Travel predicts that Mediterranean resorts will no longer be the number one destination for UK holidaymakers by the end of 2011.

Caribou extinction is the latest environmental threat to oil industry

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:30:00 GMT

The possible extinction of the woodland caribou in Alberta, Canada is the latest environmental disaster threatening to disrupt the oil industry, according to a new report issued today (15/7/10) by The Co-operative . Woodland caribou, once common in the boreal forest of Alberta, are now threatened with extinction in the region by rapidly expanding developments extracting oil from the tar sands....

Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos launches The Co-operative’s partnership with the British Music Experience at the O2 to inspire young people

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:13:00 GMT

Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos was at The O2 today to help The Co-operative announce its partnership with The British Music Experience. The partnership is set to help educate and inspire young people, and marked the release of 15,000 free tickets to the venue for young people across the country. The popular performer also delighted students with a “master class” at the venue offering advice on...

Competition launched to find design team for public space element of 20-acre Manchester site

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group and Manchester City Council are planning to launch a competition to find the design team that will create the public realm element of the masterplan for a 20-acre site in the city centre. The Co-operative Group currently occupies a complex of nine buildings in the vicinity of Victoria Station and the City Council recently backed proposals for an ambitious redevelopment ...

Student heroes set tone for The Co-operative Academy

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Future students of The Co‑operative Academy of Manchester became ‘heroes’ when they took on the job of role models for their younger peers. The year-9 students, who will join the academy when it opens in September, took more than 70 pupils from the new year-7 on a ‘heroes journey’ to show them the importance of values such as fairness, ambition and respect. The day-long workshop was supported b...

New study highlights global sanitation gap

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 00:30:00 GMT

UK and Togo worlds apart on a basic human function The stark contrast in sanitation standards between the UK and developing countries was underlined today (5 July) when research revealed that one in five of British single householders have at least two toilets, in comparison to residents of Togo, West Africa, where only 32 per cent of families have access to, or are able to use latrines. This...

Five talents and The Co-operative Bank premiere appeal film

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank has helped a charity customer to premiere a new appeals film that is being broadcast by the BBC. Five Talents, a microfinance charity, is the focus of this month’s BBC television charity appeal programme, Lifeline. The appeal will see a nine minute video presented by comedienne Sandi Toksvig that will illustrate the benefits of Five Talents’ work through its project in...

Co-operative Group's new Manchester home

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:36:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has today (24 June) announced that BAM Construction has been appointed to build its new home in Manchester. Construction of the £100m building, on Miller Street, which will be one of the most sustainable in Europe, will commence next month. In recent months BAM has been working with the design team to help cost the final build and has prepared the site for the 15 storey...

The Co-operative Group members share record £50 million dividend

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:30:00 GMT

Members of Co-operative Group will be receiving their share of a record £50 million dividend payment in the next days. The Co-operative , which is the UK’s largest mutual retailer, is paying members a total share of profit payment for 2009 of £50.4m up from £38.8m the previous year. Members receive a cash payment based on the points they earn when they trade at any of the Group’s businesses,...

Over 40% parents admit to falsifying motor insurance to save their children money

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Figures released today by The Co-operative Insurance reveal that 41 per cent * of parents are illegally fronting their children’s car insurance despite knowing that it is against the law. Motor insurance fronting occurs when a higher risk driver ** , such as a younger driver, is added as a named driver to a motor insurance policy, when they are actually the main driver or owner of the vehicle....

Europe wide campaign launched to keep tars sands out of the EU

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:30:00 GMT

EU lawmakers were today (14 June) accused of watering down landmark climate change legislation in order to allow fuels derived from the controversial Canadian tar sands to be imported into Europe. Last year the European Commission’s proposals for the Fuel Quality Directive penalised tar sands oil for emitting significantly more greenhouse gases than conventional oil, but following lobbying by t...

The Co-operative teams up with neighbours Lifeshare

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:15:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group, which will shortly commence building its new head office in Manchester, today (11 June) announced a partnership with its neighbours Lifeshare, the voluntary organisation for the young homeless. Throughout the two year project to construct the new 16 storey building the Co-operative will work with Lifeshare which is based in Dantzic Street next to the site. As well as...

Nottingham pharmacy technician wins industry award

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:56:00 GMT

Sally Clarke of The Co-operative Pharmacy in Aspley has been crowned ‘Pharmacy Technician of the Year’ in the 2010 Awards run by the leading weekly magazine for retail pharmacists, Chemist+Druggist (C+D). Sally picked up her trophy at a glittering ceremony in London’s Mayfair in front of an audience of around 500 people, including representatives from community pharmacy, wholesaling, the...

“Beeflation” the latest sting for beleagured bees

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:30:00 GMT

The problems facing the British honeybee population are being exasperated by a new economic phenomenon – “beeflation”. The mysterious decline in the number of honeybees coupled with the growing popularity of beekeeping has led to a dramatic rise in the cost of the insects. A five-frame nucleus of bees, which is needed to set up a new hive, cost just £40 in 2008 but now beekeepers are being...

Co-operative Financial Services named world's most sustainable bank

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:47:00 GMT

The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) has won the prestigious FT Sustainable Bank of the Year award, beating runner-up HSBC and 110 other financial institutions from 44 countries in the process. The highly contested global award recognises leadership and innovation in social and environmental banking and was announced at a ceremony in London last night attended by business leaders from all...

The Co-operative Group appoints four independent directors

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:01:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group Board has announced the appointment of four independent directors, who are taking up positions on its subsidiary boards. The appointments stem directly from a review of the Group’s governance which identified a role for independent directors and which last year established two subsidiary boards covering the work of its food and specialist business operations reporting in ...

Co-operative’s new app lets shoppers see where their food is grown

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:14:00 GMT

The Co-operative Food is unveiling a new iPhone app that allows shoppers to scan items on shelves and instantly see the farms where they are grown. The Co-operative Food’s Grown by Us app, which can be downloaded for free, will be launched during the Royal Bath and West Show (2 to 5 June). It includes information about food and drink produced by The Co-operative Farms , The Co-operative Group’s...

The Co-operative Bank turns away £100m of "unethical" business whilst increasing lending to UK businesses

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank remains committed to its customers’ ethical stance, and last year turned away almost £100m of business for ethical reasons. At the same time, the bank provided an additional £800 million worth of finance to UK businesses, taking its total lending to £8.3bn. Its annual ethical audit report published today (1st June) details the business foregone by the Bank for ethical and...

The Co-operative Bank and Britannia launch more market leading mortgages

Fri, 28 May 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Please note, as of 18th June 2010 the 5 year fixed rate mortgage product advertised below is no longer available. For our full range of mortgage products please visit The Co-operative Bank website . Available from Wednesday (26th May) the new mortgages include a two-year fixed rate mortgage at 2.95% and a five-year fixed rate mortgage at 3.99%. Product Rate LTV APR Application Fee 2 year fixed...

Co-operative invests £2million in UK cities to counter negative image of young people

Wed, 26 May 2010 10:39:00 GMT

Seven cities in the UK are set to benefit from a £2 million windfall to tackle the negative images of young people thanks to The Co-operative. In each of the seven cities one charity has been chosen to receive £280,000 from The Co-operative Foundation, the grant-making arm of The Co-operative Group , to help establish projects designed to challenge and change the widespread negative perceptions...

The Co-operative’s royal assent for food seminar

Wed, 26 May 2010 10:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group is joining forces with HRH The Countess of Wessex to stage a seminar for local farmers, food producers and suppliers at the Royal Bath and West Show. It is one of a series of events at the show to build stronger links between farmers and food retailers, and will include presentations as well as a question and answer session. The Co-operative Farms , the UK’s largest farmi...

Trio of new banking offers

Fri, 14 May 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Highly competitive current account benefits from The Co-operative Bank The Co-operative Bank has launched a trio of new offers for new and existing current account customers, including a new highly competitive lifetime tracker mortgage at 2.49% (tracks at 1.99% above Bank of England base rate) with no application fees. Rod Bulmer, Managing Director, Retail at The Co-operative Financial Services...

Safety first for young visitors to Co-operative with a difference

Wed, 12 May 2010 10:57:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has opened a new food store in Rotherham - but it will have no permanent staff and won’t sell anything. Instead, the latest outlet will help youngsters keep safe and stay on the right side of the law. The consumer-owned retailer has joined forces with South Yorkshire Police to transform a corner shop into an accurate mock-up of a Co-operative store inside the Lifewise...

Grape expectations for The Co-operative's English wine

Wed, 05 May 2010 16:51:00 GMT

The Co-operative Farms is to expand its successful Grown by Us food and drink range to include wine, as it plants a vineyard on its farm in Gloucestershire. It will be the first time The Co-operative Group has produced its own wine, although it will be up to four years before the vines produce enough grapes for bottles to be available in store. The vineyard will produce an English white wine,...

Manchester Peregrines move house

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:30:00 GMT

The property market may be in a slump but this has not stopped Manchester’s most famous birds of prey from moving to a new home. After four years nesting in a secret location in the city centre, the Manchester peregrines have now taken up residence in a penthouse-style nest on a high-up ledge on the Grade II-listed CIS Tower. At 118 metres tall, the CIS Tower - home of The Co-operative Financia...

The Co-operative Financial Services offers assistance to those affected by the volcanic ash disruption

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Following the closure of UK airspace due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland, The Co-operative Financial Services is offering help and advice for those customers affected. From a travel insurance perspective customers of The Co-operative Insurance will be covered on an ex gratia basis, subject to standard policy limits. We recognise that this is an unprecedented situation which is causing a gre...

In-store media boosts promotions at The Co-operative

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 11:04:00 GMT

Research commissioned by The Co-operative shows that multi-media in-store activity can boost the additional sales uplift from promotions by an average of 25 per cent. An independent econometric study, which analysed the additional sales generated over a two-year period in food stores operated by The Co-operative, showed that retail media communications attributed incremental sales of £13.4m. Of...

The Co-operative Investments increases final bonus rates

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Investments today (1 April) announced new final bonus rates for its With-profits policies. Key points: The With-profits Fund delivered strong investment performance with a return of 13.6 per cent since the last update in mid-2009. The return over the whole of the 2009 financial year was 14.2 per cent, significantly better than many other providers. Final bonus rates for...

More schools adopt Co-operative Trust Model

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:30:00 GMT

The growing acceptance that the co-operative model offers schools a compelling structure was further underlined when the latest tranche of co-operative trust schools was announced. Fifteen new co-operative trust schools, which offer all stakeholders an opportunity to be involved in the running of their school, become legal entities today (1 April) bringing the total throughout the country to mo...

Storm warning for hay fever sufferers

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 08:52:00 GMT

Hay fever sufferers could be about to experience the "perfect storm" in 2010, thanks to the gathering forces of Mother Nature. The unusual combination of birch pollen levels peaking again this year, as part of a biannual cycle coinciding with a late spring, could cause mayhem for those with hay fever, according to The Co-operative Pharmacy . Lisa McCreesh, Clinical Governance Pharmacist, at The...

The Co-operative named worldwide seafood champion

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:24:00 GMT

The Co-operative has been named as one of only five worldwide recipients of a prestigious Seafood Champion Award for 2010. The awards are presented by Seafood Choices, an initiative of international ocean conservation organisation SeaWeb, and recognises individuals and businesses for “outstanding leadership in promoting environmentally responsible seafood”. This year’s Seafood Champions were...

Annual Result Highlights for The Co-operative Group

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Preliminary Results for The Co-operative Group for the 51 weeks ended 2nd January, 2010 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 2009 Growth vs 2008 Group sales £13.7bn + 31% - Trading Group sales £11.6bn + 37% - CFS sales £2.1bn + 6% Underlying Group operating profit before significant items £473m + 20% - Underlying Trading Group Profit £338m + 22% - Underlying CFS Profit £177m + 21% Profit before payments to a...

Record sales and profits at The Co-operative Group

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Preliminary Results for The Co-operative Group for the 51 weeks ended 2nd January, 2010 Operational highlights Social goals Annual Report and Accounts download Peter Marks, Group Chief Executive, comments Additional information Enquiries Financial highlights 2009 Growth vs 2008 Group sales £13.7bn + 31% - Trading Group sales £11.6bn + 37% - CFS sales £2.1bn + 6% Underlying Group operating...

Pharmacists play crucial role in treating minor ailments

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:22:00 GMT

A leading UK pharmacy has today backed a new campaign which calls for a change in attitude towards the treatment of minor ailments, as too many people visit their GP with minor problems such as coughs and colds. The Co-operative Pharmacy has said that in the last year it has seen a notable rise in the number of customers using its pharmacies to receive common ailment advice. It is supporting th...

Yeadon pharmacy backs national no smoking day

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:57:00 GMT

A Yeadon pharmacy took up temporary residence at two local health centres in a bid to help members of the community stop smoking for this year’s national No Smoking Day (10 March). Following the success of last year’s event at Yeadon Health Centre, staff from The Co-operative Pharmacy in High Street extended their advice sessions to Silver Lane Surgery, to offer help on stopping smoking. In...

New film and report show the folly of £250 billion of tar sands investments

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:30:00 GMT

The massive resources being poured into environmentally damaging tar sands could kick start ambitious plans to supply Europe with solar energy from North Africa or enable the world to hit half of the Millennium Development Goals in the 50 least developed countries, including averting four million child deaths annually and providing universal primary education. It is literally a matter of life a...

Midlands success as The Co-operative Farms announces its award winners

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:41:00 GMT

A potato packing plant near Tamworth and a farm on the outskirts of Leicester scooped the awards when The Co-operative Farms handed out prizes during its annual conference. The potato packhouse at Langley Brook, in Middleton, near Tamworth, was named as The Co-operative Farm’s “Business of the Year”, while The Co-operative Farms at Stoughton Estate, near Oadby, as named the “Energy Business of...

The Co-operative to review its media account

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group today (March 9) announced plans to review its media account to ensure that the benefits and momentum created by its acquisition of Somerfield, the Britannia Building Society merger and The Co-operative brand launch are sustained for the benefit of its customers and members. Over the past four years, the Co-operative’s annual media expenditure has tripled to £60m and this...

CFS Goes The Extra Mile For Sport Relief!

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:30:00 GMT

With Sport Relief fast approaching, volunteers from The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) are rising to the challenge and giving up their Friday night (19 March) to help staff the Sport Relief 2010 official donation line! At its Miller Street (Manchester) and Leek contact centres, a team of more than 300 volunteers from across CFS will help create an incredible atmosphere on the evening,...

Harry Potter author "SPELLS" success for next generation of young business-women

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:30:00 GMT

JK Rowling is the most inspirational and admired entrepreneurial female role-model for young women in the UK, new research carried out by The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) has revealed. The Harry Potter author was followed, according to a survey of the nation's 14 - 24 year-olds, by fashion designer Stella McCartney and TV's Dragon's Den star, and successful business-woman, Deborah...

Co-operative crowned responsible retailer for third year running

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:27:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has been named Responsible Retailer of the Year for the third year running in the prestigious Oracle Retail Week Awards, which recognise the very best in UK retailing. The judges described the Group as an outstanding business, whose breadth of initiatives and depth of commitment to being a responsible business meant The Co-operative stood out from the rest of the shortlis...

New market-leading two-year fixed rate mortgage from The Co-operative Financial Services

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) has added a market-leading two-year fixed-rate mortgage to its product range, which will be available through both The Co-operative Bank and Britannia. Available from Wednesday 3 March, the product offers two options, based on the borrower's required loan to value: 3.19% up to 75% LTV 4.49% up to 85% LTV Both options have an arrangement fee of just £999...

The Co-operative to create an army of urban beekeepers

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:21:00 GMT

An army of new urban beekeepers supported by The Co-operative could help to reverse the worrying decline in the British honeybee population. As part of its on-going Plan Bee campaign , The Co-operative has today (1 March) announced a further £225,000 to fund bee research, as well as a step up in its support of the establishment of hives in city gardens and allotments across the UK. More and mor...

76% of over 50s live in cash ISA allowance ignorance

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:30:00 GMT

Three quarters (76%) of over 50s don’t know how much their annual ISA allowance is. One third (32%) of savers over 50 wrongly believe they can only save up to £3,600. One quarter (22%) of savers over 50 wrongly believe they can only save up to £1,800. New research by The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) reveals that when it comes to saving 76% of people aged over 50 don’t know how much...

Co-operative farmer wins top award

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:24:00 GMT

The manager of a farm in Herefordshire has been named the UK’s best grower of “top fruit” – fruit grown on trees – at a prestigious industry awards ceremony. William Barnett, who runs The Co-operative Farms fruit farm at Tillington, near Hereford, won the Top Fruit Grower of the Year title at Horticulture Week magazine’s Grower of the Year awards. The awards are the most prestigious in UK...

The Co-operative Pharmacy warns on sex infections danger

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:42:00 GMT

One of the UK’s leading pharmacies has issued a stark warning to older women about the dangers of unprotected sex - hot on the heels of a major national campaign to raise awareness of unplanned pregnancies among women over 35. The Co-operative Pharmacy , which has nearly 800 branches, has seized on the "Conceivable?" campaign , launched by the Family Planning Association (FPA) last week, to...

Two thirds of people aiming to be mortgage free by age fifty

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:00:00 GMT

New research by The Co-operative Bank Mortgages reveals that almost two thirds of mortgage holders (62%) are aiming to be mortgage-free by the time they reach 50 years of age. The findings reveal how paying off the mortgage would change peoples lives with over half of people (52%) stating that they would take more holidays, just under a third of people would turn their attention to saving more...

Give 16 year olds the vote and help renew democracy says The Co-operative

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:30:00 GMT

The UK’s largest democratic organisation, The Co-operative , today (15 February) joined the Votes At 16 coalition and called for the voting age to be lowered. The Co-operative believes lowering the voting age to sixteen would boost democratic and parliamentary renewal in the UK and energise young people to better engage in society. Sixteen year olds can already leave home, pay taxes, get marrie...

High street travel agents 'do not cater for disabled'

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A new survey of disabled travellers* has uncovered a major lack of confidence in booking holidays through high street travel agents. The survey, conducted by The Co-operative Travel and UK disabled tourism charity Tourism for All, found that 84 per cent of respondents didn’t believe high street travel agents understood the needs of disabled travellers, and that 78 per cent did not think they we...

Taste of success as heritage apple juice flies off the shelves

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:57:00 GMT

The Co-operative is toasting the success of its new heritage apple juice, made from rare and previously endangered apple varieties, after the drink sold out within weeks of first going on sale. Ten thousand one-litre bottles of the Truly Irresistible Tillington 1,000 pressed apple juice were available in selected Co-operative food stores, each one made with juice from historic apples that might...

RNID and The Co-operative partnership raises record-breaking £3.7 million

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:09:00 GMT

At a time when the level of charitable giving in the UK is static, national deafness and hearing loss charity RNID , has received a much larger then anticipated £3.7 million from its Charity of the Year Partnership with The Co-operative . Beating the initial £2 million fundraising target, this £3.7 million is a record amount of money raised for RNID, and the largest amount ever raised for one...

The Co-operative Financial Services Chief Executive Provides Support to NW Young Citizen’s Action Event

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Neville Richardson Chief Executive of The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) yesterday (4 th February) took part in a high profile, interactive and exciting event held by the Institute for Citizenship at The Opera House Manchester for between 1,600 and 1,900 young people from Greater Manchester and the North West, from a mix of backgrounds. The event aimed to empower young people to discuss...

Budding young movie makers wanted for The Co-operative Film Festival

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:57:00 GMT

The Co-operative is calling for budding young movie makers who dream of changing the world, to submit short films to The Co-operative Film Festival . Youngsters, aged 19 and under, have until Friday, 28 May to get their entries in for the prestigious Festival, formerly known as the Co-operative Young Film Makers Festival. It will be held at Bradford’s award-winning National Media Museum on...

38% increase in current account sales at

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:00:00 GMT

New findings reveal consumers now voting with their feet The latest data from The Co-operative Bank current accounts has revealed a 38% increase in current account sales in 2009 * . Furthermore when looking in more detail the numbers show a 22% increase in customers switching their current accounts to The Co-operative Bank from other major providers, with a 31% increase in switching activity...

Open day at new-look Moffat Pharmacy

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:25:00 GMT

Members of the local community were invited to visit Scotland’s oldest pharmacy – Thomas Hetherington in Moffat – for the official unveiling of its new look last Thursday (21 January). After a consultation with the local townsfolk, the pharmacy’s owner, The Co-operative Pharmacy , has refitted the branch on Moffat High Street, to bring a number of improvements. These include a private...

Co-operative launches Gold Hearts Appeal

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Co-operative stores across the UK are backing the 2010 Variety Club Gold Hearts Appeal , which has been officially launched by singer and TV personality Alesha Dixon. Alesha Dixon, who is the face of the 2010 Gold Hearts Appeal, has designed a limited-edition Gold Heart badge to raise money for The Variety Club Children’s Charity. The badges will go sale in more than 4,000 Co-operative Food...

Savvy Savers

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:30:00 GMT

75% of women will not be splashing their cash during 2010 Retailers might be disappointed to learn that new research by The Co-operative Bank Savings reveals that three quarters (75%) of women will not be splashing out on impulse buys this year. The findings confirm that over two fifths of women are planning to spend less on clothes (60%), fashion accessories (41%) and eating out (43%). The...

Ethical sales grow 3-fold in decade says The Co-operative Bank

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Expenditure on ethical goods and services has grown almost three–fold in the past 10 years according to The Co-operative Bank’s Ethical Consumerism Report published today (30 December). The report, which has been acting as a barometer of ethical spending in the UK for a decade, shows that overall the ethical market in the UK was worth £36 billion in 2008 compared to £13.5 billion in 1999. The...

The Co-operative Group donates £50,000 to Haiti earthquake appeal

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:13:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group is donating £50,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Appeal for the victims of the Haiti earthquake. In addition, collection boxes will be available in all Co-operative Food stores and in the Group’s Travel, Pharmacy and Bank branches across the UK to enable customers to donate to the appeal. Meanwhile, opportunities to offer more long-term support to help...

Stevenage Co-operative Pharmacy staff help man who falls on ice

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:14:00 GMT

Staff at one of The Co-operative Pharmacy’s Stevenage branches came to the rescue of a passer-by when he slipped on the ice and hit is head during the ‘big freeze’ last week. After being alerted to the incident by a customer, supervisor, Sue Spicer, called an ambulance as the man had fallen over a low wall, injured his head and was losing blood. Dispensing assistant, Sarah Day, calmly followed...

The Co-operative Academy secures 100k for The Green Enterprise Project

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Kathy Leaver, Principal of The Co-operative Academy of Manchester has secured £100K from The Britannia Foundation * for the Green Enterprise Project (GEP). The GEP will help students from The Co-operative Academy of Manchester develop enterprise capability, financial literacy and business understanding. Helping students create their own enterprise projects, widen their understanding of credit a...

Herefordshire farmer shortlisted for top award

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:42:00 GMT

The manager of a Herefordshire farm has been shortlisted for a prestigious industry award. William Barnett, who runs The Co-operative Farms’ fruit farm at Tillington, near Hereford, is a finalist for Horticulture Week magazine’s Fruit Grower of the Year title. He will find out if he is successful when the winners are announced at the Grower of the Year Awards ceremony, in London, on 11 February...

Co-operative Farms MD looks forward to major conference role

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:30:00 GMT

The new Chairman of the Oxford Farming Conference, The Co-operative Farms Managing Director Christine Tacon, says she is looking forward to building on the success of this year’s event. To chair the Oxford Farming Conference is a great honour, and also a great responsibility, but it is one that I am really looking forward to Christine officially took over the role at the end of the 2010...

Perthshire farmer shortlisted for top award

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:43:00 GMT

The manager of a Blairgowrie farm has been shortlisted for a prestigious industry award. Douglas McTaggart, who runs The Co-operative Farms’ soft fruit operation based at Rosemount Farm, part of its 5,000-acre Blairgowrie estate, is one of three finalists for Horticulture Week magazine’s Young Grower of the Year title. He will find out if he is successful when the winners are announced at the...

New Year honour for The Co-operative’s crime partnership manager

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:39:00 GMT

The man responsible for helping co-ordinate Home Office and police initiatives to tackle business crime has been recognised for his public service in the New Year Honours. Andy Pope, The Co-operative’s National Business Crime Partnership Manager, has been awarded an OBE. Since joining The Co-operative, as area loss prevention manager in 2000, Andy has developed his role into a national one, and...

Drink to Isaac Newton’s birthday, with juice from the apples that inspired him

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:55:00 GMT

Juice from the apples that inspired Sir Isaac Newton to discover gravity are among those included in a new heritage drink available in selected Co-operative food stores. These apples offer a real taste of British history, and many of them, like ‘Isaac Newton’s Tree’, have stories behind them. Isaac Newton was born on 4 January, 1643, and is said to have been inspired to discover gravity when he...

Ethical sales grow three-fold in decade says The Co-operative Bank

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:34:00 GMT

Expenditure on ethical goods and services has grown almost three–fold in the past 10 years according to The Co-operative Bank’s Ethical Consumerism Report (PDF 2 MB) published today (30 December). The report, which has been acting as a barometer of ethical spending in the UK for a decade, shows that overall the ethical market in the UK was worth £36 billion in 2008 compared to £13.5 billion in...

UK households slowly going green says The Co-operative Bank

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:30:00 GMT

As world leaders thrash out a deal on climate change in Copenhagen, latest figures from The Co-operative Bank published today (11 December) show that UK households are slowly greening their lifestyles. Despite the recession, spending on sustainable products and services over the past year has increased by five per cent with each UK household now spending on average £251 per annum on green items...

The Co-operative puts its own-grown free range turkeys on the festive menu

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:05:00 GMT

The Co-operative has expanded its popular “Grown by Us” range to include free range turkeys in the run-up to Christmas. “Grown by Us” is food and drink either grown by The Co-operative Farms, or made using ingredients grown by the business. The Truly Irresistible fresh free range bronze whole turkeys will be sold in selected stores with a “Reared by Us” label. It is the first time The...

Healthy cooking in classroom for Southampton children

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:13:00 GMT

Youngsters from schools in Southampton got hands-on lessons in healthy cooking, thanks to The Co-operative. The Co-operative’s mobile kitchen visited Upper Shirley High School, in Bellemoor Road – the south’s first Co-operative Trust School – supported by Co-operative members in the region. Children from Southampton’s Shirley Junior School, Hollybrook Junior School and Great Oaks School all...

The Co-operative Financial Services to administer Central Reclaim Fund

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:30:00 GMT

As announced in the Pre-Budget Report today The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) has agreed to support the Government and industry efforts to take forward the Dormant Accounts Scheme, by preparing a plan for the establishment of the Central Reclaim Fund. CFS intends to submit an application to the FSA for authorisation to establish and administrate the Central Reclaim Fund, subject to work...

The Co-operative opens £1 million food store in Bingley

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:51:00 GMT

Co-operative Group Group Chief Executive Peter Marks cut the ribbon to open a £1 million showpiece food store in Bingley, West Yorkshire, which has created 55 jobs. Pictured above: The Co-operative Group Chief Executive, Peter Marks, opens food store in Bingley. Mr Marks, who lives locally, was joined by school children from Trinity All Saints Primary School for the ceremony at the store in the...

The Co-operative wins prestigious Green Award

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:51:00 GMT

The Co-operative’s iconic brand campaign featuring Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind has won a prestigious green award. The Co-operative , which has interests in food, funerals, travel, pharmacy, motors, financial services and legal services, walked away with the Best Green Integrated Campaign at the Green awards held in London on 18 November. The commercial, which includes one of The...

Alesha Dixon launches gold hearts appeal

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:07:00 GMT

Alesha Dixon has been announced as the face of the Variety Club Gold Hearts appeal , in partnership with The Co-operative. The singer and TV personality was in attendance at The Variety Club’s 57th Annual Showbiz Awards* to launch the 2010 Gold Hearts appeal, where she is pictured with Patrick Allen, Director of Marketing, The Co-operative Group. Each Gold Heart badge sold will help to raise...

The nation names Peter Marks as Orange Business Leader of the year

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:23:00 GMT

Pictured above: Picture of Tom Alexander, CEO, Orange; Peter Marks; Allistair Darling Peter Marks, Group Chief Executive of The Co-operative Group was named as Orange Leader of the Year at the prestigious National Business Awards, sponsored by Orange, in London last night. The Yorkshire-born retailer was recognised at the awards ceremony for his outstanding achievements and demonstration of...

Marine Conservation Society and The Co-operative map out marine ‘Jewels in the Crown’

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group have unveiled suggestions as to where more than 70 new marine reserves should be.

Co-operative trust schools form national network

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

A special network to support the rapidly growing co-operative trust school sector will be formally launched today (5 November) at a conference in Manchester. In the 18 months since the first co-operative trust school was established at Reddish Vale, near Stockport, 26 schools have formed 15 different trusts and a further 120 schools are committed to the idea. Each trust is set up as a...

Co-operative customers chip into key climate change debate

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Customers of The Co-operative Food have sent world leaders a clear message ahead of the crucial Copenhagen summit on climate change in December. More than 200,000 shoppers paying for goods at 1,700 Co-operative stores have used the chip and pin machines at the tills to make their views known. Eight out of ten customers agreed an ambitious global deal was needed at the summit, providing a clear...

The Co-operative Pharmacy launches Europe’s most advanced pharmacy distribution facility

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:56:00 GMT

The Co-operative Pharmacy has demonstrated its commitment to innovation with the launch of its £16 million distribution facility in Stoke on Trent. Peter Marks, Co-operative Group Chief Executive and Rory Delap, midfielder for Premier League team Stoke City FC, officially opened the facility today, Wednesday 28 October. The purpose built, highly automated, 190,000sq ft distribution centre...

Head of The Co-operative Farms to chair 2011 Oxford Farming Conference

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:37:00 GMT

Christine Tacon, Managing Director of The Co-operative Farms, will take over as Chairman of the 2011 Oxford Farming Conference. Christine will take up the voluntary role when the current Chairman, Heather Peck, steps down at the end of the 2010 Conference. The Co-operative Farms is the UK’s largest farmer, growing arable crops and fresh produce across more than 50,000 acres in England and...

Carbon capture and storage cannot significantly reduce tar sands emissions says new report

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:01:00 GMT

The study produced by The Co-operative Financial Services and WWF-UK debunks the idea, lauded by oil companies and the Canadian government, that carbon capture and storage (CCS) will significantly counter the high levels of greenhouse gases emitted in the production of oil from tar sands deposits in Alberta, Canada. The production of tar sands oil is a highly energy intensive process and emits...

The Co-operative adds carrots to its 'Grown by Us' range

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:37:00 GMT

Carrots are the latest addition to The Co-operative Group's range of produce grown on its own farms, as the successful “Grown by Us” label expands in the run-up to Christmas. Loose carrots grown by The Co-operative Farms at Blairgowrie, Perthshire, are now on sale in Co-operative food stores across the UK. They join a range of Grown by Us products – food and drink either grown by The...

Vote in The Co-operative Travel Star Awards and win £250!

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:43:00 GMT

The Co-operative Travel has announced several new categories for the second annual Star Awards, due to take place in Manchester in December. The awards have been expanded and revamped to include the entire industry, with new categories including best airline, airport and tourist board. There is also an entire section devoted to business travel, and two awards dedicated to innovation and...

The Co-operative wins top industry title

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:03:00 GMT

The Co-operative has won the prestigious title of Retailer of the Year at the Scottish Retail Excellence Awards , organised by the Daily Record and Scottish Business Insider, in association with the Scottish Retail Consortium. The consumer-owned retailer has embarked upon the most ambitious rebranding programme in UK corporate history and is upgrading and converting its outlets, including almos...

Families are heading to Egypt for cheap sun this half term

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:16:00 GMT

UK families in search of sunny bargains this October half term are heading to Egypt according to one of the UK’s largest holiday providers, The Co-operative Travel . Half-term holidays to Sharm El Sheikh have increased by 142% according to the report based on over 1,000* bookings. This dramatic rise has gone hand in hand with a significant fall in the cost of holidays to the resort, with the...

The Co-operative accelerates brand to cover motor business

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:06:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group today (October 21, 2009) unveiled the latest phase in the rebranding of its family of businesses – a positive change for almost 20 sites in its £250 million motor retailing operation. The rebrand of nineteen showrooms as The Co-operative Motor Group is part of The Co-operative’s £1.5 billion re-branding exercise – the largest in UK corporate history. The dealerships, whic...

Peter Marks wins award for outstanding business achievement

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:34:00 GMT

Peter Marks, Group Chief Executive of The Co-operative Group, has won the prestigious Grocer Gold Cup award for Outstanding Business Achievement following a public vote run by The Grocer magazine. The award is the highest accolade within the food industry and is given to the person who has inspired his or her team to achieve outstanding results over the past year. The award was presented last...

The Co-operative gives hydro power a double boost

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:30:00 GMT

A pioneering community hydro generation enterprise, which uses river power to produce electricity, was given a double boost today (15 October) by The Co-operative Group . Water Power Enterprises (h2oPE), which will open Settle Hydro, Yorkshire's first co-operatively and community owned hydro electricity plant later this year, has received £96,000 from The Co-operative which has also agreed to...

Hat-trick for The Co-operative Farms at top industry awards

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:55:00 GMT

Farm managers from The Co-operative Farms won three awards, including the coveted title of UK’s Farmer of the Year, at the prestigious Farmers Weekly Awards held in London. Nick Padwick, manager of The Co-operative’s 4,500-acre farm at Stoughton, near Leicester, won the overall title, as well as being named Farm Manager of the Year. And Russell Armstrong, who runs the 3,600-acre Coldham Estate,...

Profits up 17% at The Co-operative Group

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:29:00 GMT

Group Financial Performance* Group revenues up 27.1% to £6.4bn (2008: £5bn) ** Like-for-like food sales up by a market-beating 7.3% (ex-fuel and VAT) Group profit before tax up 17% to £228.8m *** Group operating profit (before significant items) up 32.9% to £294.4m (2008: £221.6m) Members’ funds up 8.1% to £4.0bn (2008: £3.7bn) Net debt up at £1,665m (2008: £531m) after net capital investment ...

Blackpool pharmacist wins Pride of The Co-operative Award

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:42:00 GMT

Pharmacist John Proctor from The Co-operative Pharmacy in South King Street, Blackpool, was presented with a Pride of The Co-operative Award at a London ceremony. John received the trophy prior to the prestigious Pride of Britain Awards, which was broadcast to six million people earlier this week. To celebrate The Co-operative’s sponsorship of the Pride of Britain Awards, the organisation...

Down Ampney farm opens its door to local school children

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:24:00 GMT

The Co-operative Farm at Down Ampney has opened its doors to local schoolchildren for the first time, and youngsters from Down Ampney Primary School were first to spend a day there. As well as opening the farm’s new classroom, converted from a former farm building, the children took part in The Co-operative’s innovative “From Farm to Fork” educational programme. From Farm to Fork, already runni...

The Co-operative prepares for more school farm visits

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:33:00 GMT

The Co-operative Farms is gearing up for more visits by children in the new school year, with around 15,000 youngsters having visited its farms since January. Schoolchildren visit the farms as part of The Co-operative’s “From Farm to Fork” initiative, designed to bring food and farming to life for primary school pupils. From Farm to Fork is part of The Co-operative’s commitment to engaging and...

York tops list of local pride amongst residents

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:00:00 GMT

York has topped a list of cities that residents are most proud to live in, according to a new survey by The Co-operative. The walled city of York, which is steeped in history and a wealth of impressive buildings, including the iconic York Minster, can now lay claim to being the ‘Pride of Britain’ - with almost 9 out of 10 (86%) of the city’s dwellers saying they are proud of where they live. At...

MEP joins East Leake youngsters for farm visit

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:12:00 GMT

East Midlands MEP Glenis Willmott joined children from Brookside Primary School, East Leake, for an insight into The Co-operative’s work to educate and inspire children about food and where it comes from. She made a fact-finding visit to The Co-operative Farm at Stoughton, near Leicester, where she saw children from the school visiting as part of The Co-operative’s innovative “From Farm to Fork...

Birmingham woman to receive prestigious Pride of Britain Award

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:49:00 GMT

An inspirational 75-year-old woman from Handsworth, Birmingham, will receive The Co-operative Local Champion Award at the prestigious Pride of Britain Awards 2009 in London next week. For more than 20 years, Eunice McGhie-Belgrave has been working tirelessly in the heart of Handsworth to make sure young people take pride in their community. Now Eunice is to be honoured at The Daily Mirror's Pri...

Peter Marks amongst judges for Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain awards 2009

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:06:00 GMT

Group Chief Executive, Peter Marks, was amongst the panel of distinguished guests at the judging day of the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, sponsored by The Co-operative . Peter Marks was joined by the likes of Emma Bunton, Ben Shepherd, Dame Kelly Holmes and Daily Mirror editor Richard Wallace at London’s prestigious Grosvenor House to choose this year’s Pride of Britain winners. The...

Government urged to investigate pesticide links to bee decline

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:59:00 GMT

On the day that a new feature film, outlining the worrying decline in the honeybee population, is premiered, the Government is being urged to commission research into the effects some pesticides maybe having on nature’s most efficient pollinator. “ Vanishing of the Bees ”, which is being supported by The Co-operative in conjunction with distributors Dogwoof, explores the mysterious disappearanc...

Recycling centre welcomes 10,000th visitor and awards Moss Side school with surprise trip

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:24:00 GMT

Waste Works , The Co-operative’s education centre that provides an interactive recycling experience to children, has today welcomed its ten thousandth visitor (25 September 2009). The Co-operative’s Head of Corporate Estates and Services, Kate Morris, will be surprising the lucky class from Claremont Primary in Moss Side with a special award and £500 to celebrate the milestone for Waste Works,...

The future is bright for The Co-operative Academy

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:30:00 GMT

Open evening proves a success with parents and future students Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Alison Firth and Kathy Leaver Principal Designate for The Co-operative Academy of Manchester welcomed 300 parents and primary school pupils who attended The Co-operative Academy open evening at the Plant Hill Park on Wednesday 23 rd September. The Co-operative Academy will deliver a world class...

Local youngsters open green toilets at Leicester farm

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:42:00 GMT

Children from a Leicester primary school officially opened ground-breaking water-free toilets, built entirely from recycled materials, on a farm near the city. We could have just built a new toilet block, but we wanted something a bit different and that would be educational as well as setting a standard environmentally. The Co-operative Farm at Stoughton has built the dry toilets for use by...

New variety of potato produced by The Co-operative

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:53:00 GMT

Co-operative food stores nationwide are to stock a new variety of potato grown exclusively by The Co-operative Farms. “Pioneer” potatoes, named after the Rochdale Pioneers who founded the Co-operative Movement in 1844*, are cultivated by The Co-operative Farms at Coldham in Cambridgeshire. The new variety is ideal for boiling, sautéing or using in salads, and can be eaten hot or cold. The name...

BAM to work with The Co-operative Group on head office project

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:42:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has today (18 September 2009) announced the appointment of BAM Construction to help it develop plans for its new head office in Manchester. Manchester City Council has now approved the Group’s planning application for a 15 storey building on Miller Street, comprising of 325,000 sq ft of open plan office and support space. BAM has been appointed to work with the existing...

The Co-operative Travel Sports and Events appointed as four nations travel partner

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:28:00 GMT

The Co-operative Travel Sports and Events has announced that it is the RFL's official travel partner for the 2009 Gillette Four Nations. As an official Four Nations sponsor, The Co-operative Travel Sports and Events will enjoy high visibility throughout the tournament and provide a range of travel packages for all the competing teams and supporters. As well as flying World Champions New...

Mike Greenache to become new vice-chairman of The Travel Foundation

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:21:00 GMT

Mike Greenacre will become vice-chairman of The Travel Foundation * from 1 January 2010. He will work alongside Noel Josephides, managing director of Sunvil, who has been appointed Chairman. Sue Hurdle, chief executive of The Travel Foundation, said: “Having two of travel’s best known figures help to lead the charity for the next three years speaks volumes about how far sustainable travel issu...

The Co-operative becomes first UK business to mobilise customers to support climate change protest march

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:35:00 GMT

The Co-operative today (14 September) underlined its position as the most radical business combating climate change when it began mobilising its members and customers to take part in the UK’s largest ever climate change protest. In what will be the largest mobilisation of consumers in recent times, The Co-operative will charter trains and coaches to take thousands of its customers and members...

The Co-operative Group gets go ahead for new head office

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has received planning permission from Manchester City Council to build its new head office in Manchester. The new building, which will be constructed on land on Miller Street, opposite the Co-operative Insurance tower, will serve as the head office for The Co-operative Group, the UK’s largest mutual retailer. Group Chief Executive Peter Marks said: ”This is another...

Profits increase by 11% at the Co-operative Financial Services

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:01:00 GMT

Interim Result Highlights for The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) for the 28 weeks to 25 July 2009 Following its merger with Britannia Building Society on 1 August 2009, The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) is one of the largest and most diversified financial mutual businesses operating in both retail and corporate markets. The combination of the financial strength, customer focus an...

Plymouth & South West Co-operative Society merges with The Co-operative Group

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 07:00:00 GMT

The merger between Plymouth & South West Co-operative Society (PSW) and The Co-operative Group was completed on Sunday 6 September following the legal transfer of engagements. PSW has 168,000 members, 66 food stores, 11 post offices, three petrol stations and 30 funeral homes in Devon and East Cornwall and join the Group from a position of strength. This merger is further testament to the...

The Co-operative Group promotes legal services to food shoppers

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:20:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group today (11 August) launched a high profile campaign to promote the legal services offered by its own specialist division to the 17m weekly shoppers in its food stores. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the wide range of advice and expertise available through The Co-operative Legal Services. The campaign, which will last nine weeks, includes in-store radio, till scree...

The Co-operative Travel nominated for 8 TTG Awards

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:52:00 GMT

The Co-operative Travel Group has received eight nominations at the prestigious 2009 TTG Awards ceremony. Julie Livingstone from Cumbria Cruises, Francesca Barone at Future Travel, and Alison Todd from The Co-operative Travel in Stockton-on-Tees have been nominated in the Agent of the Year category. Samantha Farthing from The Co-operative Travel in Barnsley and Helen Sutton from The Co-operativ...

Britannia merger with The Co-operative creates powerful force in financial services

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:00:00 GMT

The final stage of the merger between Britannia and The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) is now complete. Following the overwhelming support from members together with final approval from the FSA, the new business was legally formed on August 1, 2009. Trust has become a scarce commodity in other financial businesses of late and we aim to provide a genuine alternative to those disillusioned...

The Co-operative Investments launches new sustainable investment fund

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Investments today (27 July 2009) launched a new Unit Trust that will target the investment opportunities emerging from a changing world and a shift in attitudes towards sustainable business practices. The new Sustainable Diversified Trust will invest in companies well-placed to benefit from fundamental global changes including; the economic importance of emerging countries such...

CFS helps launch new legal fund to fight new tar sands developments

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:30:00 GMT

UK citizens are being urged to join a Canadian Cree First Nation in their fight against one of the biggest environmental threats facing the planet. The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) wants people to support the Beaver Lake Cree Nation in their legal battle to stop energy companies extracting further oil from tar sands within their ancestral lands in Alberta, Canada. Tar sands extraction ...

Lytham travel advisor joins cruise elite

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:18:00 GMT

The Assistant Manager of The Co-operative Travel in Lytham has been awarded Ambassador status by the Association of Cruise Experts (ACE), joining an elite group of only 34 in the UK. Leanne Murfin received the accolade following extensive training on the ACE accreditation scheme, and subsequently excelled at selling cruise thanks to her advanced knowledge and experience. Leanne said: “I’ve alwa...

Co-operative Group submits head office plan

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:12:00 GMT

Plans for a new Manchester landmark building, which will help make the city a leader in international sustainable development, have been submitted to the city council by The Co-operative Group. The Group plans to build its new head office on land it owns on Miller Street, opposite the Co-operative Insurance tower. The new building will serve the UK’s largest mutual retailer which now has a...

City gives green light to Co-operative’s Northern Gateway plans

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:36:00 GMT

A vision which will transform a key area of Manchester’s city centre has taken an important step closer with the green light from the City Council for ambitious plans from The Co-operative Group. The Group’s regeneration framework for its landmark 20-acre site close to Victoria Station, is designed to unlock the area’s social and commercial potential – and make Manchester an international leade...

Charity bike ride success

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:08:00 GMT

Senior staff from The Co-operative Travel have completed their charity bike ride and raised in excess of £10,000 for RNID , the charity for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and The Co-operative Group’s charity of the year. Staff raised the money by cycling from The Co-operative Travel headquarters in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, to London, after which Neil Braithwaite, The Co-operative Group’...

The Co-operative Travel launches its first summer holidays brochure

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:05:00 GMT

The Co-operative Travel has launched its own tour operation featuring a range of summer holiday packages to the most consistently popular overseas destinations for UK holidaymakers. The brochure features summer 2010 holidays to the Balearics, Canaries, mainland Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Florida and Mexico, and also boasts a number of family and couple-friendly initiatives....

The Co-operative Group wins Environmental Leadership Award

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:53:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group and Supreme Creations, the supplier of the supermarket’s reusable Fairtrade cotton bags, have been recognised at the UK’s top responsible business awards. The two organisations were honoured for their commitment to and leadership on environmental and supply chain issues by HRH The Prince of Wales at Business in the Community’s (BITC) annual Awards for Excellence event las...

More land for The Co-operative Farms in Cambridgeshire

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:46:00 GMT

The Co-operative Farms has extended its existing Coldham Estate in Cambridgeshire after buying a 92-acre farm nearby. It has bought Fourscore Farm, at Laddus Fen, for an undisclosed amount, having previously rented the farm’s land to grow crops. Coldham is one of 15 sites across the UK operated by The Co-operative Farms, part of The Co-operative Group. It is the UK’s largest farming business,...

Innovation award for The Co-operative Farms

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Farms has won a prestigious prize for innovation at the inaugural awards run by Co-operatives UK – the umbrella organisation that promotes the interests of co-operatives. It won the Innovation in Co-operative Business Award, in recognition of its “ Grown by Us ” range that is sold in Co-operative food stores, at the first ever Co-operative Excellence awards. Produce sold under...

The Co-operative Bank scoops ‘Best Financial Services Provider’ at the annual Which? awards

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank has been awarded another top accolade, by winning the prestigious 2009 Which? award for ‘Best Financial Services Provider’. The awards based on research by Which? recognise the best performers across core retail sectors, including mortgages, credit cards and current accounts. In the case of The Co-operative Bank, and given the backdrop of the economic crisis, the award als...

The Co-operative is top of the crops

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:14:00 GMT

The Co-operative has been crowned “top of the crops” at the produce industry “Oscars”. The Co-operative became the first UK retailer to win both the main title of Overall Produce Trader of the Year award and the Multiple Retailer of the Year at The Fresh Produce Journal’s Re:fresh awards - the industry's annual celebration of the achievements of the best in the business. The Co-operative land...

Co-operative shoppers chip n pin to save fish n chips

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:30:00 GMT

Shoppers at The Co-operative believe our national dish could have had its chips unless the Government introduces marine reserves in the forthcoming Marine Bill. More than 80 per cent of customers (83 per cent) supported the introduction of highly protected marine reserves in a survey conducted via chip and pin pads at the checkouts of more than 2,200 Co-operative food stores throughout the UK....

New £2m Scottish strawberry venture for The Co-operative Farms

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:49:00 GMT

The Co-operative Farms has invested more than £2m in its fruit-growing operation in Scotland by opening a state-of-the-art strawberry-packing plant near Dundee. It has bought a site at Longforgan, from Gowrie Growers Limited, and has installed state-of-the-art packing equipment to handle locally-grown strawberries for sale in stores throughout Scotland and across the UK. In total, the investmen...

Co-operative Bank launches first development fund for co-operatives in developing countries

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank today (5 June) unveiled an innovative new global co-operative development fund aimed at helping to alleviate poverty in some of the world's poorest communities. The Global Co-operative Development Fund (GCDF) has been created with long-term partner Deutsche Bank and is the first specialised international development fund to specifically target credit unions and agricultura...

The Co-operative Group unveils vision for Manchester gateway

Wed, 27 May 2009 15:07:00 GMT

A vision which will transform the northern part of Manchester’s city centre, securing the city’s place as a 21st century leader in sustainable development, has been endorsed by Manchester City Council’s Executive. The Co-operative Group’s Regeneration framework for its landmark 20-acre site close to Victoria Station, is designed to unlock the area’s social and commercial potential and will...

Co-operative Group unveils design for new head office

Thu, 21 May 2009 15:05:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has today (21 May) unveiled the design for its new head office building in Manchester – a project which heralds a new era in its 150-year relationship with the city. To be built on land on Miller Street, opposite the Co-operative Insurance tower, the new building will serve the UK’s largest mutual retailer which now has a turnover of over £13 billion. Group Chief Executiv...

Native 'British Bees' could hold key to honeybee survival

Mon, 18 May 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The native black honeybee, with its better ability to cope with the British weather, could help reverse the dramatic decline in honeybee numbers in the UK. The population of the honeybee, nature’s most important pollinator, has declined by up to 30 per cent in recent years, but no one knows why. Pesticides have been implicated by some experts, but others believe the problem is made worse by...

Record results from a rejuvenated Co-operative Group

Wed, 06 May 2009 15:01:00 GMT

Preliminary Results for The Co-operative Group for the 52 weeks ended 10 January, 2009 The Co-operative Group is the UK’s largest mutual retailer. It is the fifth largest food retailer, the third largest retail pharmacy chain, the number one provider of funeral services and the largest independent travel business. It also has strong market positions in banking and insurance. The Group employs...

Britannia members back super-mutual merger with The Co-operative Financial Services

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:37:00 GMT

Britannia members overwhelmingly endorse plans to merge with The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) to create new super-mutual New business will be the most diversified customer-owned enterprise in UK financial services, providing ethical alternative to banks Strong strategic and cultural fit between the two organisations with expected efficiency and revenue benefits of £60 million a year...

Environmental qualifications for Co-operative Farm managers

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:52:00 GMT

Two managers of sites run by The Co-operative Farms have earned important environmental qualifications. James Taylor, who runs The Co-operative’s farm at Down Ampney, in Gloucestershire, and Keith Daly, who runs a farm near Ongar in Essex, have both completed a Biodiversity and Environmental Training for Advisers (BETA) qualification run by agricultural training provider BASIS. BETA training...

The Co-operative Travel signs up to green initiative

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:00:00 GMT

The UK’s leading independent travel retailer, The Co-operative Travel , is the latest travel business to sign up to the Travelife Sustainability System , a sustainable tourism tool which is supported by a growing number of European trade associations, including the Federation of Tour Operators. The Travelife seal of approval is featured throughout the soon-to-be-launched Co-operative Travel...

Society makes its mark on final farewells

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:51:00 GMT

The influence of popular culture on the country’s funeral ceremonies is evident in a new and authoritative study on the subject published today (16 April). The Co-operative Funeralcare, the UK's largest funeral director, surveyed music arranged at almost 250 homes carrying out more than 30,000 funerals annually across the UK in 2008 and noted the particular impact of television, not just on our...

Prestigious awards for The Co-operative Group

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:35:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has scooped two titles at the prestigious Retail Week Awards, including being named Responsible Retailer of the Year for the second year in succession. It also won the Product Innovation of the Year category, for its “free from” petfood range, at the annual awards which celebrate excellence in the retail industry. The Co-operative Group was named Responsible Retailer of t...

New scheme stops e-waste being dumped on developing countries

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:30:00 GMT

CFS and partners Digital Links and Midex Reverse Technologies have pioneered the innovative recycling programme in response to the growing e-waste problem in the developing world from computers donated by overseas businesses. Redundant computers from many British companies end up in countries in Africa as well as India and Pakistan, helping to improve opportunities for some of the world’s...

The Co-operative is one to watch say retail experts

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:29:00 GMT

Retail analysis experts IGD have singled out The Co-operative Group as one of its “10 to watch” during 2009. IGD, formerly the Institute of Grocery Distribution, publishes an annual list of the top 10 worldwide businesses whose “innovative and exciting approaches” mark them out. This year’s list features the Manchester-based Co-operative Group, praised for its focus on responsible local...

Make a film - Change your world

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:24:00 GMT

The Co-operative is calling for budding young movie-makers who dream of changing the world, to submit entries to the prestigious Co-operative Young Film-Makers Festival. Youngsters, aged 19 and under, have until Friday, 26 June to get their entries in for the 2009 Festival which will be held at Bradford’s award-winning National Media Museum on Thursday, 8 and Friday, 9 October. Through drama o...

The Co-operative Farms announces its award winners

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:30:00 GMT

A farm in Leicestershire and a potato packing plant in Scotland were the winners when The Co-operative Farms handed out its awards during its annual conference. The Co-operative farm at Stoughton, near Oadby, was named “Business of the Year” and Bill Longair, Operations Manager at the potato packing plant at Carnoustie, near Dundee, won “Employee of the Year”. The Co-operative Farms is the UK’s...

The Co-operative Group completes its acquisition of Somerfield

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group, the UK’s largest mutual retailer, has completed its £1.565bn acquisition of the Somerfield supermarket chain. The deal propels The Co-operative into the “premiership” of food retailers, creating a stronger fifth player in the UK grocery market with 8 per cent market share and 3,000 stores generating annual sales in excess of £7bn. “This is great news for customers of bot...

New joint venture for The Co-operative Travel and Cosmos

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Travel Group and Cosmos Holidays have announced that they are to enter into an exclusive joint venture to form a new tour operation under The Co-operative brand: Co-operative Holidays Ltd. The new business will be launched in early summer 2009, starting with a summer 2010 programme. Mike Greenacre, Managing Director of The Co-operative Travel Group, was keen to emphasise the...

Quality badge for Co-operative Farm

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Farm at Stoughton in Leicestershire is among the first in the country to earn a newly-launched Quality Badge for Learning Outside the Classroom (LOTC). The LOTC Quality Badge recognises the commitment to helping children and young people learn more about food and farming by providing high-quality learning outside the classroom. The 4,500 acre farm was where farm manager Nick...

£70m shot in the arm for co-operative business model

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:57:00 GMT

The mutual business model got a £70m shot in the arm today (16 February) when The co-operative officially launched its new brand with a high profile advertising campaign. At a time when consumers are disillusioned with big business, The co-operative announced that it would be spending a record total of £70m this year in order to promote the benefits of its ethical approach to business. The...

Co-operative backing for Fairtrade Fortnight

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:55:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group is supporting this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight with a series of initiatives, as well as savings of up to 20 per cent on selected Fairtrade products. The Co-operative stocks the widest range of Fairtrade grocery products of any UK supermarket with 230 different Fairtrade lines, and was the first high street retailer to list Cafedirect back in 1992. Fairtrade sales at The...

The Co-operative Celebrates Two More Awards

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:43:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank is celebrating after bagging two more awards, this time at the Card Awards 2009. The Woodland Trust Credit Card has been named the Best Charity Credit Card, while our Customers Who Care scheme was voted Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme. These awards are a fantastic achievement for The Co-operative Bank. The Customers Who Care campaign and the Woodland...

The Co-operative Bank updates Ethical Policy and reveals how it has helped grow total lending

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank today (2nd February 2009) unveiled a radical new Ethical Policy. The value of business turned away since launching its ethical stance in 1992 has now passed the £1 billion mark; however, over the same period, the Bank’s total commercial lending has grown from £571 million in 1992 to £4.4 billion in 2008, an average of 14% per annum. The Bank revealed that its ethical...

The Co-operative Bank launches new tracker mortgage range

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Bank is launching a new tracker mortgage range on Friday 30th January. The range will include a three and five year tracker and full details are as follows: 3 Year Tracker Mortgage – Current Account Exclusive * 3 year tracker mortgage for current account holders of The Co-operative Bank at 3.99% variable (Bank of England Base Rate +2.49%) for LTV up to 60% No application fee Fr...

The Co-operative Bank and smile Top on Customer Satisfaction

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:45:00 GMT

The first annual People's Choice report from Which? Money has revealed that The Co-operative Bank and smile are among the top three overall winners when it comes to customer satisfaction . A total of 15,000 Which? members took part in the survey; respondents were asked how satisfied they were with their current account, savings, mortgage and credit card providers. Whilst, smile was awarded the...

The Co-operative prohibits eight pesticides as part of radical new ‘plan bee'

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:53:00 GMT

The Co-operative today (28 January) became the first UK retailer to prohibit the use of a group of eight pesticides as part of a radical new ten-point plan designed to help reverse the worrying decline in the British honeybee population. Launching Plan Bee, The Co-operative announced that it would expand its market-leading pesticide policy and temporarily prohibit the use of all eight of the...

Britannia and Co-operative Financial Services unveil plans for super-mutual

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:51:00 GMT

Britannia and Co-operative Financial Services Boards recommend merger to create new super-mutual as an ethical alternative to shareholder-owned banks Combined business to be the most diversified customer-owned business in UK financial services, strongly capitalised and with scale and strength in product, distribution and service Strong strategic and cultural fit between the two organisations wi...

Christmas trading statement from The Co-operative

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:49:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group, the UK’s largest mutual retailer, today (6 January) reports a strong Christmas performance in its food stores. Like-for-like sales for the three weeks to 3 January grew by 6 per cent, taking like-for-like sales growth for the fourth quarter to 5.2 per cent, and for the last 52 weeks to 4.9 per cent. This is the twelfth successive quarter of like-for-like sales growth. K...

Make healthier choices with The Co-operative

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:47:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group, the UK’s largest convenience store retailer, is launching a major campaign to encourage people to eat more healthily throughout 2009. The community retailer is also making a “Big 5” commitment to provide substantial savings on at least five fresh fruit and veg. products every month to further encourage customers to eat their “five a day”. The “Big 5” for January are all...

The Co-operative to cut plastic bag use by 50%

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:39:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has pledged to cut single-use plastic carrier bag usage by 50% by spring 2009. The Group is among the major supermarkets to have signed up to a Government agreement with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) to meet the ambitious target to cut their provision by half compared with 2006 levels, when consumers used around 13 billion bags. The agreement, signed yesterday (17...

The Co-operative meets refit target

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:38:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group has met the ambitious target it set itself for 700 food store refits during 2008, at a cost of £200 million. The Co-operative Food store in Lower Addiscombe Road, Croydon, has become the 700th food store to be refurbished by the Group, as part of the largest re-branding exercise in UK corporate history. The store, which has undergone a £700, 000 refit, now features the...

The Co-operative launches its 'Marine Reserves Now' campaign

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:17:00 GMT

30 per cent of the seas around the UK must become no take Marine Reserves by 2020 if the marine environment is to recover from decades of overfishing and habitat destruction. That is the view of The Co-operative, which today (8 December) launched its ‘Marine Reserves Now’ campaign in partnership with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS). This follows the announcement of a UK Marine Bill in the...

Members and community groups share The Co-operative's profits

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:14:00 GMT

Members of The Co-operative Group and hundreds of community groups are set to share a £8.9m* interim share of profits, it was revealed today (24 November). Over the next few days, members of The Co-operative Group will receive their share of the profits payment based on their trade with the Group’s businesses during the first half of the year. In the six months of the year to 30 June 2008, 2.1...

Public response helps shape eco-town masterplan

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:12:00 GMT

The public have played a key role in shaping the Eco-Town for Leicestershire Masterplan launched today (9 October) by The Co-operative Group in conjunction with its land partner English Partnerships. The Masterplan has been submitted to the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) for the next stage of the Government’s assessment. The Group has underlined its confidence in and...

Record first-half results for The Co-operative Group

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:10:00 GMT

Interim Results for The Co-operative Group for the 28 weeks ended 26th July 2008 The Co-operative Group is the UK’s largest mutual retailer. It is the fifth largest food retailer, the third largest retail pharmacy chain, the number one provider of funeral services and the largest independent travel business. It also has strong market positions in banking and insurance. The Group employs 85,000...

The Co-operative - a super brand to watch

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:20:00 GMT

The Co-operative is featured in the 10th annual volume of Superbrands which identifies the country’s strongest brands and tells their story. The brands featured in the prestigious coffee table publication qualify for inclusion based on the collective opinions of an independent and voluntary Superbrands Expert Council and more than 2,200 members of the British public. The Co-operative is feature...

The Co-operative reaches re-brand milestone

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:30:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group, which is currently in the midst of the largest re-branding exercise in UK corporate history, today (11 September) refitted its 2000th outlet with the new The co-operative facia. The Co-operative food store at Locks Heath, near Southampton, became the milestone outlet when it opened its doors to reveal a £1.6m refit. The Group, which has a total of 4,200 outlets in all, h...

The Co-operative announces another £1 million for its green energy for schools programme

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:56:00 GMT

The Co-operative’s vision of every school in the UK having a green energy source by 2020 came a step closer today (26 August) when it opened nominations for schools to receive free solar panel systems as part of a new £1million fund for renewable energy. The Co-operative is calling on other big businesses to follow its lead so that every school will have a renewable energy source before childre...

Co-operative commits funding for more sustainable UK fisheries

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:53:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group is pledging support to UK fisheries looking to pursue sustainability through Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. The food retailer is committing £200,000 over two years to support fisheries that might otherwise struggle to fund the MSC certification process, which allows them to be recognised as well managed and sustainable. Globally, there are only 30...

Co-operative Membership smashes three million barrier

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:30:00 GMT

Membership of The Co-operative Group has smashed through the three million barrier according to figures released today. Prior to the re-launch of the famous membership scheme in September 2006, the Group had two million active members. By last November that number had grown to 2.5 million and today the Group can boast 3.1 million members. The figures also show that the Group is continuing to...

Leading travel retailer says no to new runways

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:56:00 GMT

The Co-operative Travel has become the first major travel retailer in the UK to reject the building of the planned third runway at Heathrow. As part of a radical new strategy aimed at supporting the principles of responsible and sustainable tourism, the organisation, which sells over £1 billion worth of holidays each year, is calling on the aviation industry to increase the pace of technologica...

The Co-operative Group and Somerfield - £1.565bn acquisition

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:53:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group and Somerfield today announce that they have entered into an agreement for the Co-operative Group to acquire Somerfield for £1.565bn on a cash-free debt-free basis. Somerfield operates approximately 880 local grocery retail outlets across the UK. In the year to April 2008 Somerfield generated net sales of £4.2bn, and earnings before interest, tax and depreciation of £233...

The Co-operative launches £1.4m national press campaign

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative, arguably the most diverse brand in the UK, is launching a £1.4m national press campaign to demonstrate the links between its family of businesses and the co-operative way in which they operate. The Co-operative, which has interests in Food, Pharmacy, Banking, Insurance, Funerals, Travel, Legal Services and Farming, will employ a series of treatments using the sign off line “T...

The Co-operative to sponsor the Daily Mirror’s ‘Pride of Britain’ awards

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group is to be the sole sponsor of the Daily Mirror’s ‘Pride of Britain Awards’, the biggest national TV awards show of its kind*. Now in its tenth year, The Pride of Britain Awards has a proud heritage as a prestigious national event that celebrates the achievements of the most inspiring and heroic people in the country – ‘Britain at its best’. The two-year sponsorship...

Peacehaven Co-operative launch marked by star-studded celebrations

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:00:00 GMT

The opening of the Peacehaven Co-operative and Meridian Centre will be marked by a day of celebrations in the town on Thursday, 19 June, following its £3 million transformation which has created 30 new jobs. Children from three local schools – Peacehaven Community, Peacehaven Infants and Hoddern Junior – will star alongside dance sensation Brendan Cole to perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony at...

Top ten slot for Co-operative Travel Management after 'Parador' acquisition

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:30:00 GMT

Co-operative Travel Management has announced the acquisition of Parador Travel Management, a move that boosts its annual sales to over £100 million and takes the organisation into the top ten business travel companies in the UK. Parador Travel Management is an independent corporate travel management services company first established in 1981, and based at City Road, London with offices in Bury ...

The Co-operative Group doubles dividend to members

Mon, 26 May 2008 14:30:00 GMT

The total share of profits dividend paid to members of The Co-operative Group will be double that of last year it was revealed today (26 June). The Co-operative , which is the UK’s largest mutual retailer, will pay members a total share of profit payment for 2007 of £38.1m compared to £19.6m the previous year. Members receive a cash payment based on the points they earn when they trade at an...

Merger delivers strong profit growth

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:30:00 GMT

Preliminary results for The Co-operative Group The Co-operative Group is the UK’s largest mutual retailer. It is the fifth largest food retailer, the third largest retail pharmacy chain, the number one provider of funeral services and the largest independent travel business. It also has strong market positions in banking and insurance. The Group employs 85,000 people, has 2.5 million members an...

Eco-town – Leicestershire's opportunity to become world leader

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:30:00 GMT

Government recognises potential in The Co-operative Group’s vision The chance for Leicestershire to lead the way in innovative and sustainable community development came a step closer today as the Government shortlisted The Co-operative Group’s vision for a new eco-town on its land to the south east of Leicester. The organisation was one of more than 50 which responded to the Government’s...

Annual Highlights for Co-operative Financial Services (CFS)

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:30:00 GMT

Annual Highlights for Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) for the year ending 12 January 2008 Financial Highlights Total shareholder profit before tax, investment fluctuations, significant items and membership dividends was up 6.3 per cent at £155.4m (2006: £146.2m) This includes: £67.1m from General Insurance (2006: £37.0m) £50.4m from Banking activities (2006: £76.3m) £37.9m (2006: £32.9...

The Group receives prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 10:00:00 GMT

The Co-operative Group’s pioneering position on Fairtrade and its other leading-edge sustainability initiatives have been recognised by the Queen. The Group received the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Sustainable Development category. No other major retailer has ever won this particular Queen’s Award, which enables the business to use the Award emblem for a period of five years...