The Co-Operative Store at Wildwood

Feed The Goat

Well-Known Forumite
What their website says :

Our friendly Wildwood store is in a popular area of Stafford on Wildwood Road adjacent to the A34 Cannock Road. We're next door to the Wildwood pub restaurant, as well as local shops and amenities including a pharmacy, newsagent, Peacocks clothing store and community centre.

What they are actually doing :

The co-op have refused to issue a new lease to the newsagents forcing them to close. What this means is that local residents, including the old and less mobile will be denied their delivery service that they have always had in the area.

This newsagent has not only lost his livelihood but has also lost everything he paid for the business when he bought it from the previous owners. He has traded despite his landlord "the co-op" selling everything that they sell next door to them but have made their business viable through sheer hard work and by going the extra mile for their delivery customers.

As we all know business is business, but can the co-op please spare us the "we care for the community crap". They are looking to wring out every penny possible from the local residents just like all the multinational supermarkets do. if that means stamping on the little man then so be it. The fact that they will no longer be delivering papers to anyone including those that can not get out to collect one is of no interest to them.
 

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
That really is bad. I have always tried to support them by buying stuff like cards, lottery tickets, stamps etc.
Even if I am actually in the co op I won't buy a magazine from them, choosing to go next door to the newsagent. I feel so sorry for Ali, I had no idea that this was happening.
 

dr watson

Well-Known Forumite
I go to that coop quit often. Actually, after this news the sentence should read; I used to go to that coop quite often, as I don't think I'll bother darkening their door again.

I have to agree with you, and like Carole we have often made a point of supporting the Newsagent: Such shabby treatment by the Coop of one of its tenants.
 

Noah

Well-Known Forumite
I have very strong doubts about the Co-op's ethical stance and caring for the community. When they took over the old Somerfield shop in Penkridge the first things they did were increase the area devoted to alcohol by 3 times, made alcohol displays visible from the door, put in a heated cabinet of unhealthy junk food in front of the door to catch the lunchtime trade and increased the size of the tobacco counter & made it more prominent.
 

Steve_b

Well-Known Forumite
I have very strong doubts about the Co-op's ethical stance and caring for the community. When they took over the old Somerfield shop in Penkridge the first things they did were increase the area devoted to alcohol by 3 times, made alcohol displays visible from the door, put in a heated cabinet of unhealthy junk food in front of the door to catch the lunchtime trade and increased the size of the tobacco counter & made it more prominent.
That description would fit the co-op on Baswich, might as well be an 'off licence' their un-cooperative, refusing to re-surface the service road which is full of pot holes

As for the coop on Wildwood, that site would be ideal for an 'Aldi' too many co-ops in one area
 

Feed The Goat

Well-Known Forumite
Yes it would make a great Aldi. It is interesting that in the proposal literature for new Aldi openings, it states quite clearly how they don't sell certain products leaving opportunities for other traders in the close vicinity. This is unlike the co-op who go all out to steamroller everyone else. Apparently they need the space that the newsagent occupies. Hope they don't fancy a chemist as well.
 

dr watson

Well-Known Forumite
Yes it would make a great Aldi. It is interesting that in the proposal literature for new Aldi openings, it states quite clearly how they don't sell certain products leaving opportunities for other traders in the close vicinity. This is unlike the co-op who go all out to steamroller everyone else. Apparently they need the space that the newsagent occupies. Hope they don't fancy a chemist as well.

Quite!
But perhaps the Coop won't need the space if customers decide to stop shopping there.
 

Glam

Mad Cat Woman
When I worked at the co-op many moons ago (1981). They used to send out letters demanding to know why you were spending your hard earned wages in other shops. Staff were 'encouraged' to bank with the co-op too. And God help you if you took any time off sick. The area manager would do your back to work interview and rip shreds off you for daring to be ill.
 

Steve_b

Well-Known Forumite
Rumors are that the Co-op want to take over the old Lynton Tavern on weeping cross, moving from their old store
 

Mr.Bee

Well-Known Forumite
Ill just come out and say it F*ck Co-op. Over priced low quality food and a lack luster approach to community spirit.



I will also say F*ck tesco for targeting poor disadvantaged areas like North end. Never have I seen "own brand" cheap vodka in any small "extra" store and I lived in moss pit for 10 years. Yet they have it next to the most deprived area?! Hmmm good old fashioned f*ckery!
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
The Tesco Extra stores also charge a fortune for essentials, things like tinfoil where they only stock a premium brand and at a much higher price than the main stores. I thought having a Tesco right near my GFs house would help but I never use it, unfortunately that only leaves the co-op or bargain booze (who already see a healthy slice of my wages!).
 

henryscat

Well-Known Forumite
None of the other supermarkets have any qualms about putting people out of business, so really if you boycott one then boycott them all.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
The Co-Op makes a big thing about careing for the community and behaving in an ethical manner.

That is the difference.
 

staffordjas

Well-Known Forumite
Oh no, first I've heard of the newsagents having to close. I always try to give them my custom when I can . Feel so sorry for the bloke when , as soon as he took over the busy shop, the co-op started selling everything he was selling and never seems that busy since!
Quite often see him delivering the newspapers himself to our elderly neighbours as well when the paperboy/girls aren't available.

I just hope they don't decide to open a Co-op pharmacy,forcing Ash and his staff in Durans chemist out.

Somerfields did the dirty on our boss of the bakery when they took that Kwik-save over. They had told the butchers and cafe that they had to go,but the bakery was told it could still trade there........ next thing the bakery owner was told Somerfields were going to be selling their own bakery items , so he had to go!
 

darts22

Well-Known Forumite
The only thing I buy from Wildwod Co-op is milk, it's one of the few things not to get ripped off with.
I too use the Newsagents for magazines and the Newsletter, I certainly will not buy them from the Co-op if the Newsagents closes.
 

darts22

Well-Known Forumite
Just been told by an employee of Wildwood Co-op that all complaints about the incident are being referred to Corporate Affairs Head office Lichfield 01543 414140
 

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
Ali is asking that people write to John Maltby Co op president, and Martin Cheatle, Chief executive at Central England Co-Op Ltd, Central House, Hermes Road, Lichfield, Staffs WS13 6RH


He is devastated. They told him he could have the lease for 10 years. He put £80,000 into the business, buying it as a going concern and cabinets etc.
The Co op are not even buying him out so that money is lost and therefore he can't start up again somewhere else.
 
Top