Northern Co-operative Society: Difference between revisions
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'''Northern Co-operative Society Limited (Norco)''', previously named '''Northern Co-operative Company Limited''', was a local [[consumer co-operative]] trading in [[Aberdeen]], [[Scotland]], from 1861 to 1993.<ref name="archive">{{Cite web |
'''Northern Co-operative Society Limited (Norco)''', previously named '''Northern Co-operative Company Limited''', was a local [[consumer co-operative]] trading in [[Aberdeen]], [[Scotland]], from 1861 to 1993.<ref name="archive">{{Cite web |
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|url=http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ACCI/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.asp?lID=13278&sID=1689 |
|url=http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ACCI/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.asp?lID=13278&sID=1689 |
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|accessdate=2008-07-04 |
|accessdate=2008-07-04 |
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}}</ref> |
}}</ref> |
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It operated supermarkets and other businesses throughout Aberdeenshire, and employed 2000 people in 1992. |
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It was put into liquidation in [[1993]] as a result of financial difficulties that ''The Guardian'' newspaper attributed to “an over-ambitious building and development programme” and failed attempts to |
It was put into the hands of a [[Receiver (legal)|receiver]] for liquidation in [[1993]] as a result of financial difficulties that ''The Guardian'' newspaper attributed to “an over-ambitious building and development programme” and failed attempts to dispose of the entire business as a going concern, despite the successful sale of its dairy, five pharmacies, and then several supermarkets to [[Argyll Stores]] and the [[The Co-operative Group|Co-operative Wholesale Society]] (CWS).<ref name="archive" /><ref name="guardian" /> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Norco House, a large [[department store]] that replaced several smaller non-food stores, was opened in George Street in 1970.<ref name="archive" /> |
Norco House, a large [[department store]] that replaced several smaller non-food stores, was opened in George Street in 1970.<ref name="archive" /> |
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The trading name of Norco was soon adopted by the entire co-operative.<ref name="archive" /> |
The trading name of Norco was soon adopted by the entire co-operative.<ref name="archive" /> |
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The “space-age” four storey Norco House department store was later operated by the [[John Lewis (department store)|John Lewis]] employee-owned chain.<ref name="heritage">{{Cite news |
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|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:APJB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F6D23FDD9AAC29D&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |
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|title=PULL THEM ALL DOWN: Heritage chief blasts the city's 60s eyesores |
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|author=David Ewen |
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|work=[[Aberdeen Press and Journal]] |
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|date=2000-06-24 |
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|publisher=[[NewsBank]] via Europe Intelligance Wire |
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}}</ref> |
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The co-operative shopping arcade that it replaced was described in 2000 as “like [[Covent Garden|Convent Garden]] ''(sic)'' – a delightful, quaint area at the centre of the city where people could stroll” by Connie Leith, head of the Ferryhill Heritage Society.<ref name="heritage" /> |
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In 1977, |
In 1977, Norco opened a {{convert|54000|sqft|-2}} flagship [[superstore]] in the [[Berryden]] district of Aberdeen.<ref name="archive" /><ref name="grocer">{{Cite news |
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|quote=Sainsbury has purchased the 53,600sq ft store at Berryden,Aberdeen |
|quote=Sainsbury has purchased the 53,600sq ft store at Berryden,Aberdeen |
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|title=MORE CWS SUPERSTORES SOLD |
|title=MORE CWS SUPERSTORES SOLD |
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|publisher=via Find Articles at BNET |
|publisher=via Find Articles at BNET |
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|date=2000-09-16 |
|date=2000-09-16 |
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}}</ref><ref name="press2000">{{Cite news |
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|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:APJB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F6D242E0140AD02&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |
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|title=Co-op's shock sell-off threatens 200 city jobs |
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|work=[[Aberdeen Press and Journal]] |
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|date=2000-06-27 |
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|page=6 |
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|accessdate=2008-08-14 |
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|author= Tim Pauling and Alastair McNeill |
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|publisher=[[NewsBank]] via Europe Intelligance Wire |
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}}</ref> |
}}</ref> |
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The Berryden store was sold to the |
The Berryden store was sold to the Scottish Co-op in 1993 immediately before the receivership, and operated by that co-operative for seven years.<ref name="archive" /><ref name="press2000" /><ref>In 1993, Scottish Co-op was a retail division of the [[Co-operative Wholesale Society]], from 2001 the Co-operative Group.</ref> |
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In April 1992, Norco declared a loss of £7 million, and the chief executive resigned.<ref name="archive" /> |
In April 1992, Norco declared a loss of £7 million, and the chief executive, Robin Pollock, resigned.<ref name="archive" /><ref name="press2000" /> |
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Emergency measures included the massive sell-off of businesses, and a pay freeze.<ref name="archive" /> |
Emergency measures included the massive sell-off of businesses, and a pay freeze.<ref name="archive" /> |
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Kennerty Dairies (since bought by [[Robert Wiseman Dairies]]) bought Norco's Berryden dairy, and [[Argyll Group]] bought supermarkets in [[Banchory]], [[Elgin]], [[Ellon, Aberdeenshire|Ellon]] and [[Westhill]].<ref name="press2000" /> |
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Finally, in 1993, the co-operative approached Scottish Co-op with a view to a rescue merger, but this was declined.<ref name="archive" /><ref name="guardian" /> |
Finally, in 1993, the co-operative approached Scottish Co-op with a view to a rescue merger, but this was declined.<ref name="archive" /><ref name="guardian" /> |
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It employed 2000 people in 1992, when the financial problems became apparent, and on going into receivership in June 1993, it had 800 employees.<ref name="guardian" /> |
It employed 2000 people in 1992, when the financial problems became apparent, and on going into receivership in June 1993, it had 800 employees.<ref name="guardian" /> |
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Its trading area included the Aberdeenshire towns of [[ |
Its trading area included the Aberdeenshire and [[Moray]] towns of [[Banchory]], [[Elgin]], [[Ellon, Aberdeenshire|Ellon]], [[Kemnay]], [[Inverurie]], [[Port Elphinstone]] and [[Westhill]].<ref name="archive" /><ref name="press2000" /> |
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At its peak it had branches and departments throughout the city of Aberdeen.<ref name="archive" /> |
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Since the demise of Norco, the tradition of consumer co-operation in Aberdeenshire has been continued or revived by three southern organizations: [[Scotmid Co-operative]], [[Lothian, Borders & Angus Co-operative Society|Lothian, Borders & Angus Co-operative]] and Scottish Co-op (a retail division of CWS, now [[the Co-operative Group]].) |
Since the demise of Norco, the tradition of consumer co-operation in Aberdeenshire has been continued or revived by three southern organizations: [[Scotmid Co-operative]], [[Lothian, Borders & Angus Co-operative Society|Lothian, Borders & Angus Co-operative]] and Scottish Co-op (a retail division of CWS, now [[the Co-operative Group]].) |
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Revision as of 13:23, 14 August 2008
Northern Co-operative Society Limited (Norco), previously named Northern Co-operative Company Limited, was a local consumer co-operative trading in Aberdeen, Scotland, from 1861 to 1993.[1][2] It operated supermarkets and other businesses throughout Aberdeenshire, and employed 2000 people in 1992.
It was put into the hands of a receiver for liquidation in 1993 as a result of financial difficulties that The Guardian newspaper attributed to “an over-ambitious building and development programme” and failed attempts to dispose of the entire business as a going concern, despite the successful sale of its dairy, five pharmacies, and then several supermarkets to Argyll Stores and the Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS).[1][2]
History
Norco was formed in 1861 as Northern Co-operative Company, by two committees of Aberdeen residents who planned to follow the example of the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society.[1] The first shop was a grocery business at 51 Gallowgate, opened in July that year.[1] The original company had a fixed capital of £1000, but in 1917, it converted into Northern Co-operative Society.[1]
Norco House, a large department store that replaced several smaller non-food stores, was opened in George Street in 1970.[1] The trading name of Norco was soon adopted by the entire co-operative.[1] The “space-age” four storey Norco House department store was later operated by the John Lewis employee-owned chain.[6] The co-operative shopping arcade that it replaced was described in 2000 as “like Convent Garden (sic) – a delightful, quaint area at the centre of the city where people could stroll” by Connie Leith, head of the Ferryhill Heritage Society.[6]
In 1977, Norco opened a 54,000 square feet (5,000 m2) flagship superstore in the Berryden district of Aberdeen.[1][3][7] The Berryden store was sold to the Scottish Co-op in 1993 immediately before the receivership, and operated by that co-operative for seven years.[1][7][8]
In April 1992, Norco declared a loss of £7 million, and the chief executive, Robin Pollock, resigned.[1][7] Emergency measures included the massive sell-off of businesses, and a pay freeze.[1] Kennerty Dairies (since bought by Robert Wiseman Dairies) bought Norco's Berryden dairy, and Argyll Group bought supermarkets in Banchory, Elgin, Ellon and Westhill.[7] Finally, in 1993, the co-operative approached Scottish Co-op with a view to a rescue merger, but this was declined.[1][2]
Operations and co-operative movement
Norco was previously noted as the only large consumer co-operative in the UK not to be a member of the Scottish or English Co-operative Wholesale Societies.
It employed 2000 people in 1992, when the financial problems became apparent, and on going into receivership in June 1993, it had 800 employees.[2]
Its trading area included the Aberdeenshire and Moray towns of Banchory, Elgin, Ellon, Kemnay, Inverurie, Port Elphinstone and Westhill.[1][7] At its peak it had branches and departments throughout the city of Aberdeen.[1] Since the demise of Norco, the tradition of consumer co-operation in Aberdeenshire has been continued or revived by three southern organizations: Scotmid Co-operative, Lothian, Borders & Angus Co-operative and Scottish Co-op (a retail division of CWS, now the Co-operative Group.)
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "NORCO - Records of the Northern Co-operative Society". Aberdeen City Archives.
- ^ a b c d Seumas Milne (1993-06-18). "Scottish co-op calls in receiver". The Guardian. via Proquest News UK. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
- ^ a b "MORE CWS SUPERSTORES SOLD". The Grocer. via Find Articles at BNET. 2000-09-16.
Sainsbury has purchased the 53,600sq ft store at Berryden,Aberdeen
- ^ "retailing UK News 2000". UK Business Park. 2000-09-12.
- ^ Bob Reid (2003-09-23). "Retail Study Report" (PDF). Aberdeen City Council Resources Management Committee. p. 5.
Sainsbury's have taken over the Scottish Co-op superstore at Berryden
- ^ a b David Ewen (2000-06-24). "PULL THEM ALL DOWN: Heritage chief blasts the city's 60s eyesores". Aberdeen Press and Journal. NewsBank via Europe Intelligance Wire.
- ^ a b c d e Tim Pauling and Alastair McNeill (2000-06-27). "Co-op's shock sell-off threatens 200 city jobs". Aberdeen Press and Journal. NewsBank via Europe Intelligance Wire. p. 6. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
- ^ In 1993, Scottish Co-op was a retail division of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, from 2001 the Co-operative Group.
Further reading
- "NORCO - Records of the Northern Co-operative Society". Aberdeen City Archives.
- Seumas Milne (1993-06-18). "Scottish co-op calls in receiver". The Guardian.