Travel throughOur history
The co-operative was established. A group of individuals, now known as the Rochdale Pioneers Society was established, based on eight 'Rochdale principles', including distributing a share of profits called a dividend.
1844
The co-operative was established. A group of individuals, now known as the Rochdale Pioneers Society was established, based on eight 'Rochdale principles', including distributing a share of profits called a dividend. This helped enable the working classes to get quality food at reasonable prices.
1861
Just 17 years later, a joiner from Gainsborough called Thomas Parker founded Lincolnshire Co-op at 1 Napoleon Place, Lincoln, in September 1861. It was our first food retail store. Conditions for working people were terrible and Thomas wanted to do something about this. We have 94 food stores now across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
1880
Nearly 40 years before the NHS began, Lincolnshire Co-op opened a Sick Appliance Room and sold medicines to provide some comfort for our members.
1928
The first Lincolnshire Co-op pharmacy opened in Bank Street with further branches opening on Burton Road and Wragby Road in Lincoln.
1930
The society purchased a funeral home on Portland Street in Lincoln and launched the funeral business. Today we have over 20 funeral homes with our flagship branch based on Lincoln’s Tritton Road.
1943
The society contributed to war efforts by investing £70,000 in Wings for Victory. Many men were sent to war, and we supported our colleagues in this difficult time.
1957
Ron Gadsby founded Gadsby's in Southwell, Newark. Whilst the bakery has expanded to meet the demands of current retailers, Ron Gadsby’s traditional values still underpin the foundations of our business.
1967
The society opens the first filling station on Newland Road, Lincoln. Today, we run 7 filling stations which all have a food store aswell.
1979
After arranging many trips for members to enjoy we took the decision to open our first travel branch. It was an immediate success, and we now have 14 travel branches across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
1998
Dividend went digital with the first dividend card introduced to our members.
2007
The first post office was opened in Nettleham and was shortly followed by post offices in Boultham Park in Lincoln. We now have 37 post offices across our trading areas.
2009
The society was named as a national partner of the post office.
2009
Lincolnshire Co-op purchased Maltby’s Pharmacy Warehouse, a wholesaler with 150 customers and 10 pharmacies. We now have nearly 50 pharmacies including a pharmacy warehouse.
2020
The dividend pay out to members was almost £3.8m.
2021
We celebrated our 160th birthday with Gadsby’s cupcakes for colleagues and members.
2022
We now have nearly 3,000 colleagues working in over 220 outlets and we're owned by around 300,000 members.