January 29, 2013 10.07 am This story is over 148 months old

Lincolnshire Co-op home stores moving to new owners

New ownership: Another Lincolnshire firm will be taking on Lincolnshire Co-op’s home stores, which could result in redundancies.

Lincolnshire Co-op is in negotiations with Oldrids Group regarding the take over of two home stores branches in Lincoln and Gainsborough.

If negotiations are concluded, staff working at the home stores on Tritton Road, Lincoln, and Market Place, Gainsborough, will be transferred over to Oldrids Group by mid-February.

Jobs in sales, store admin and coffee shop staff will be kept, with potential redundancies in the Lincoln branch kept to a minimum.

Staff have been notified over the potential sale, and the home stores will continue to run under the Oldrids brand. Current customer orders will be honoured.

Additionally, an Oldrids Group travel branch in Grantham will also be given to Lincolnshire Co-op as part of negotiations.

Oldrids Group is a local firm, best known for managing the Downtown Superstore and Garden Centre at Gonerby junction, near Grantham.

It is hoped the home stores will benefit from the company’s supply chains and expertise in homeware.

Lincolnshire Co-op’s Chief Executive Ursula Lidbetter said: “We’re pleased to be working with Oldrids Group on this scheme, which is in the final stages of negotiations.

“We believe Oldrids Group’s experience could bring new and exciting developments to the home stores in Lincoln and Gainsborough.

“Under the proposed scheme, we’d also be pleased to welcome a new travel branch to our Society, as we already run 10 successful travel outlets.”

Lincolnshire Co-op will continue to own the sites in Lincoln and Gainsborough.

— This story has been edited to reflect changes regarding the potential redundancies as part of the move.