The business of Southern Co-op includes burial grounds in West Sussex, Dorset, and Cheshire, and a crematorium in Hampshire and Devon. Additionally, Southern Co-op supports franchisee stores that are members of Southern's Welcome convenience brand.
51,562 new Members joined Southern Co-op during 2023 - 24
History
Southern Co-op was formed in 1873 by dockyard workers who had transferred from Woolwich docks in east London to the Portsmouth dockyard. The workers had previously set up a successful Co-operative Society in Woolwich. When they arrived in Portsmouth, they decided to replicate a similar set-up there.[citation needed]
In December 1872, 30 people attended a public meeting and unanimously agreed to pay one shilling (12 old pence) for the establishment of a local Co-operative. After five months, the Portsea Island Mutual Co-operative Society's first shop opened in Charles Street on 9 May 1873.[citation needed]
The head office was previously located at Fareham in Hampshire until July 2011, when it moved to 1000 Lakeside, a business park in North Harbour, Portsmouth.[2]
In 2023, it marked its 150th anniversary with a special logo.
Southern Co-op operates around 200 Co-op branded convenience stores, covering Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex, Berkshire, Somerset, Surrey, Devon, Bristol, Kent and parts of Dorset and Wiltshire.[citation needed]
Franchising & foodservice
Southern Co-op owns the 'Welcome' convenience store franchise,with 72 Stores open at the end of 2023. During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, 7 new stores opened in Westhoughton, Dewsbury, Bournemouth, Ripon, Wakefield, Tower Bridge and Wirral.
Cobra Coffee, a Southern Co-op subsidiary, is one of the largest Starbucks franchisees in the UK and grew from 63 to 71 stores in the 2023-2024 fiscal year under license from Starbucks across the south of England.
Funerals/end of life planning
Southern Co-op operated 59 funeral homes across the south of England, closing one in 2023. Additionally, they operate 4 burial grounds and 2 crematoriums.[3]