AUGUST 2018

Radstock Co-operative celebrates its
anniversary
q Radstock opens its
new Bridgwater store;
below right, its purposebuilt
Fromefield site
Radstock Co-operative Society – formed in 1868
to serve the mining community in the Somerset
town – has reached the 150-year milestone.
The society traces its roots back to March
1868, when there was a preliminary meeting at
the town’s Workingman’s Hall to establish the
Radstock Co-operative and Industrial Society.
It began trading the following year from a
purpose-built store at 3 Wells Road – still the
location of the current head office.
It now has 18 convenience stores, a large
supermarket with a non-food offering, food hall
and travel agency and a 1,000 acre dairy farm,
and at the time of its latest annual report its
membership stood at 14.429. Those results saw
an increase in sales by over 10% to £42.4m. Some
of this growth came from the opening of three
new stores during the year, but like-for-like sales
also showed a healthy increase of 4.1% on the
previous year.
Chief executive Don Morris said: “I am extremely
proud of the society’s heritage and its service to
our local communities over the past 150 years.
The society’s longevity can be attributed to its
commitment to co-operative principles and its
resolve to remain independent.
“Although the society has faced many
challenges throughout its history, today we are a
vibrant and expanding co-operative business.”
As it turns 150, the society is continuing its
growth, with a newly acquired convenience store
opening this summer in Haywood Village, Westonsuper-Mare.
And consultation is beginning on
the redevelopment of the Radco site, which has
played a pivotal role in the society’s history.
Radstock is celebrating its milestone by
commissioning a book telling its story – from the
very first meeting where co-operators declared
their intent to support the local community
through the co-operative model. A book launch
and signing was held at the Radstock Museum in
May, attended by local dignitaries, many of the
society’s key business partners and associates,
directors and contributors to the book.
And Radstock Museum is running an
exhibition illustrating the co-op’s history in
pictures, artefacts and documentary evidence,
until August.
All of the society’s stores are taking in local
themed events, each representing a decade in the
period from 1868 to 2018, with displays reflecting
chosen themes ranging from the Suffragettes to
rock’n’roll.
In May, there was a grand 150-year celebration
evening at Bath Pavilion to recognise the society’s
achievements over the years and pay tribute to
individual colleagues and team. Guest of honour
was the chair of Bath and North East Somerset
Council, Karen Walker, alongside representatives
from the East of England and Central England
co-operatives.
A spokesperson for Radstock said: “The society
is proud of its mining heritage and humble roots
and pays tribute to the foresight of the founding
members who recognised by working together
co-operatively reaps benefits for all.
30 | AUGUST 2018