Shock as Co-op stores go with loss of 241 jobs
SHOPPERS and businesses have reacted with shock to news that 70 years of history is to come to an end with the closure of the Co-op's department stores.
A total of 241 jobs will go in Derbyshire, including 60 in Derby.
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The Co-op store in Derby is to close in the next six months.
Midlands Co-op confirmed that its store on the corner of East Street and Exchange Street was one of nine across the Midlands that it is planning to shut over the next six months. It said "substantial losses" incurred by its home and fashion department stores over the past decade had led to the decision.
Christina Giljohann, manager at the Argento jewellery store a few yards away, said: "It will be a massive blow to the street.
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"With Millets gone and HMV in administration it is going to be really quiet."
Shopworkers' union Usdaw said it was seeking urgent talks with the Co-op in a bid to reduce the need for compulsory redundancies.
And workers leaving the Derby store last night told the Telegraph they were "devastated" and "upset" by the decision.
The Co-op's local food stores are unaffected.
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by Thekcrep
Monday, February 25 2013, 7:27PM
“I was sad to see the news about the Co-op stores closures for two reasons, the first, the company I work for is a supplier to them, but secondly, I have very fond memories of the record department that was located on the first floor, up the wonderfully ornate spiral staircase. I spent loads of my pocket money there, and I can remember the manageress who was very helpful, despite me often wanting to buy some of the more obscure records I'd heard on Caroline and the other pirate stations. To me, a mere 14/15 year old, she seemed quite old to be in what you would consider a young persons job. It now seems quite ironic that radio played a big part of my teenage years, as now I have a voluntary job on a community station in Lincoln called Lincoln City Radio with three weekend programmes, which I absolutely enjoy. Wonder if anybody remembers me from Rykneld School from 1963 to 1967, and Dunkirk Youth Club where I first played records in public. Just one final point regarding the Co-op, I had a pen friend who I got to know from one of music papers I had in those days, her name was Sue Fram who lived in Littleover, who I seemed to remember was a lift operator at the Co-op, she was a huge Engelbert Humperdink fan, does anybody known of her whereabouts?”
by vinylist
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 5:36PM
“The John Lewis Partnership does not shun older Twentieth Century department store buildings...and one of them (Peter Jones in Sloane Square) is considered to be one of the finest in the land, so there would be a precedent for John Lewis occupying a building of the current Co-Operative Department Store's vintage. Think, also, of the former Bonds in Norwich - now known as John Lewis - which is another building of a similar vintage and style. It is, furthermore, in a location much less central to the general shopping 'run' in that city than the current Co-Operative is in Derby, so how can the idea of attracting John Lewis to the corner of East Street and Exchange Street be considered so outlandish?”
by davethehorse
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 8:17PM
“High street is finished, simple as that”
by DerbyBorn
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 7:23PM
“bucko2013 - what are people going to go out to buy that relates to our heritage? Souvenir plates? Books of railway history? The shops in the Museums don't seem very busy. Shops need to sell large quantities of stuff - or a few high cost / high profit items to stay in business and afford the overheads. Who is going to buy a model of Friargate Bridge?
Parking has driven people away into the arms of the out of town retailers and the internet. I wonder how long it will be before parking charges are imposed at such places now they have killed the competition.”
by hawke7
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 6:09PM
“It was busy to-day , sale signs everywhere but not everything in sale !”
by DerbyBorn
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 6:05PM
“Suppose it is too big for a Wetherspoons!”
by Craigwigan
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 6:00PM
“CLOSE ALL THE SHOPS DOWN
PUT ON EXTRA RED ARROWS TO THE PROPER CITY NOTTINGHAM
JOHN LEWIS
WAITROSE
HOUSE OF FRASER
PROPER REAL ALE PUBS”
by Ronfromderby
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 5:31PM
“Use the site for an extension to the museum and also locate local studies there.”
by DerbyBorn
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 3:44PM
“Realistically, as long as we can get what we need - whether by out of town shops, factory outlets, Internet, Mail Order or whatever, then there isn't a problem. (Only for those who work in the stores that are closing). The stores cannot survive on memories of what we once went there for. Remember the record dept?
The Co-op and the Midland Drapery were great in their time. Somehow we seem to be getting by now. The supermarkets have made their killing.
I was recalling only a few days ago driving over to Gem at West Bridgeford where there was the first of the big superstores (later became Asda) that sold everthing from food - to washing machines. It seemed really novel at the time. Quickly it has become the norm. As for some of the knick nacks that city stores sell - does anyone need them now. It is a bit like holiday suveniers - the fad has died.”
by WikkiTikki
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 3:19PM
“It's a shame they are closing. I haven't shopped there for a while but used to love the home wares section. I'm sure they used to sell good children's shoes a few years back. My eldest is 15 and I can recall looking for shoes at the Co op when she was little.
Sorry to burst anyone's bubble but John Lewis and Waitrose would never open a store in Derby city centre.”