Southern Co-op marks 150 years of serving Portsmouth and the local community

Ad Feature by Southern Co-op
Published 24th Mar 2023, 07:00 BST
Southern Co-op marks 150 years of serving Portsmouth and the communitySouthern Co-op marks 150 years of serving Portsmouth and the community
Southern Co-op marks 150 years of serving Portsmouth and the community
With ground breaking moments throughout its history, the community focused co-operative is marking a major milestone

Southern Co-op marks its 150th anniversary on Friday 24 March, after decades of championing the needs of the local community.

Currently known for its local branches of The Co-operative Food and The Co-operative Funeralcare, Southern Co-op was originally named Portsea Island Mutual Co-operative Society and started off with just one store in Portsmouth.

It was first formed on 24 March 1873 and is one of the remaining independent societies in the country. Southern Co-op was the first to open a fully self-service supermarket in Great Britain.

Originally set up to benefit the whole community, Portsmouth-founded Southern Co-op’s values remain every bit as vital todayOriginally set up to benefit the whole community, Portsmouth-founded Southern Co-op’s values remain every bit as vital today
Originally set up to benefit the whole community, Portsmouth-founded Southern Co-op’s values remain every bit as vital today

Serving those in need

It was formed by dockyard workers tackling exploitation, inequality and life-threatening poverty. Its founders set out ‘to develop our Society until it is capable of supplying the wants and bestowing financial and social benefits to all people residing in the district and thus benefit the community as a whole’.

Mark Smith, Southern Co-op’s Chief Executive, said: “Our communities are still at the forefront of our purpose, alongside long term sustainability plans which include ambitious climate action goals and programmes that tackle food waste and support nature recovery.

“Sadly poverty remains a very real threat to our society, so together with the support of our colleagues, members, customers and partners, we are doing all that we can to build stronger, more resilient communities, helping the most vulnerable within our communities.

It’s all about the community – 150 years on, Southern Co-op helps thousands of people in and around PortsmouthIt’s all about the community – 150 years on, Southern Co-op helps thousands of people in and around Portsmouth
It’s all about the community – 150 years on, Southern Co-op helps thousands of people in and around Portsmouth

“This includes support for foodbanks, community fridges and pantries, as well as hyper-local charities who are making a huge difference to people’s lives, helping us to create greener, safer, healthier, more inclusive communities.

“We’ve faced many challenges over the last 15 decades, but I am proud to lead a successful business that provides essential services to local communities across the south, all the while helping to create a fairer society and more sustainable world.”

Forward thinking

With a purpose beyond profits, Southern Co-op provides employment for around 4,500 people across branches of its retail and funeral services, its Welcome retail franchises, free Bereavement Care service, Starbucks franchises, crematoria and natural burial grounds.

To find out more about the remarkable 150 history in and around Portsmouth, click here to read the special eight-page supplement.

Related topics:Portsmouth