OurCoop on Wednesday (May 20) published the annual report and accounts for Central England Co-operative Limited, marking the final report for Central Co-op as a standalone Society, ahead of the transfer of engagements that has created OurCoop, the UK’s largest independent co-operative society.
Debbie Robinson, OurCoop Chief Executive Officer, said: “This report closes one chapter and opens another. Central England Co-operative ends its final standalone year having delivered solid results, grown net assets by £48m and invested significantly in what comes next.
“2025 was the year three independent societies made a deliberate choice - to stay independent and to do it together. Our Members voted for that future overwhelmingly and OurCoop now stands as the UK’s largest independent co-operative, with ambition to deliver more for our Members and our communities."
Over the year, turnover was £844.6m, with trading profit of £4.3m and gross profit margin increasing by 55 basis points to 29.9%. Underlying operating profit was £9.5m (£11m in 2024/25).
In total, the Society invested £24.5m during the year. Six new stores opened and thirteen more were regenerated. Digital funeral services continued to develop, alongside the rollout of solar generation across the estate – part of a clear short- to medium-term ambition for OurCoop to be energy self-sufficient.
The Society exceeded its in year green energy target and now produces enough green energy to power the equivalent of all the former Chelmsford Star sites. These investments and others help to improve productivity, lower running costs and create lasting value for Members.
The Society also saw member engagement strengthened. 175,000 new Members joined during the year, up from 124,079 in 2024/25. By year-end, 310,000 Members had downloaded the Society Members app and active Member participation reached 37%. Members earned more than £5m in Rewards through their everyday shopping, alongside their regular Share of the Profits.
Most significantly, 2025 was the year that members of Central Co-op, Chelmsford Star and Midcounties Co-operative voted to come together. Following overwhelming Member votes, OurCoop now serves more than one million Members and 13,000 colleagues across a unique family of co-operative businesses – spanning food and convenience, post offices, travel, energy and finance.