EAST OF ENGLAND CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY

Early day motion 874, tabled 26 October 2005 by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 34 members.

That this House welcomes the formation of the East of England Co-operative Society Limited, a merger between the Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society and the Ipswich and Norwich Co-operative Society; notes that the new society will be the fifth largest co-operative society in the UK and brings together two of the strongest and most successful societies in the country; pays tribute to the founders of the various local societies across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, and the dedicated co-operators who have followed over the succeeding decades, which has led to the creation from the end of October 2005 of a single society stretching from South Woodham Ferrers in Essex to Sheringham in Norfolk; affirms that the Co-operative and Mutual Movement continues to have an important role to play in promoting the high ideals and ethical values which distinguish it from others; and looks forward to an expanding and developing East of England Co-operative Society, trading from more than 200 outlets in around 70 towns and villages, employing 5,000 people with annual sales in excess of £400 million, and providing increased benefits including payments of dividends from trading surpluses to its 480,000 members.

Signatures by party: Labour 26, Liberal Democrat 8.