The UK’s two largest independent co-operatives, Central Co-op and the Midcounties Co-operative, have agreed to merge to create a new society.

The move is set to create the UK's biggest independent co-operative society made up of one million members, 500 food stores, and a more than 13,000-strong workforce.

Both societies were required to hold meetings to allow members to consider and vote on the proposal to bring the two societies together.

The new society will trade nationally through its food, utilities, childcare, funeralcare and travel businesses.

The organisation's footprint will span Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Bedfordshire in the South and West; the Midlands, Staffordshire and Northamptonshire; Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Yorkshire in the North; and Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk in the East.

In the coming days, members will vote on a new legal name for the society.

Central and Midcounties sites and stores will continue to trade under their existing brands, all of which carry the internationally recognised ‘coop’ identity, with the new name applying to the society’s legal entity only.

Chelmsford Star, which was transferred into Central Co-op earlier this year, will also keep its existing brand.

“Creating a new society brings together the scale, reach and commercial opportunity to shape the future of co-operation in the UK," said Debbie Robinson, chief executive of Central Co-op. "This isn’t simply about combining two organisations, it’s about building something new, something distinctly ours.

"Together, we can drive better value for Members, create career opportunities for colleagues and strengthen the communities we serve. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine what a modern co-operative can achieve.”

The legal completion is expected to conclude in January 2026.

Phil Ponsonby, Midcounties Co-operative chief executive, said: “The combined strengths of our new Society will allow us to navigate through challenging economic headwinds and invest for the future from a position of strength. As co-operators we know we can achieve more together, and we look forward to working with our Members, colleagues and partners to create a new Society that builds on our shared heritage and delivers real change.”

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