East Of England Co-Operative Society

EDM number 874 in 2005-06, proposed by Bob Russell on 26/10/2005.

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.

This motion has been signed by a total of 35 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.