History

Since 1868…

The Radstock Co-operative and Industrial Society, later known as the Radstock Co-op, was established over 155 years ago during the growth of the co-operative movement. Remaining one of the few independent local societies, it has thrived amidst the evolving landscape of the twenty-first century. With 21 stores spanning Somerset and Wiltshire, the Radstock Co-op has embraced the shift towards community convenience stores, employing over 400 individuals, many with generational ties to the Co-op.

It has come a long way since those first days in 1868 when a small store was opened to give the local working-class community a chance to hold a stake in a venture that promised them decent food at decent prices. This grew to encompass many other retail areas in the 1930s, from boots and shoes, to daily deliveries of bread made in the Society’s own bakery and milk from the Society’s own cows. From Radstock, the Society branched out to neighbouring villages and beyond.

Major investment in the Radstock store from the late 1950s to mid-1980s helped the Society survive as an independent co-operative, however for too long it held on to unprofitable parts of the business. The last decade has seen the Society transform in to the business it is today, with existing stores modernised and new ones opened, building on the Society’s long-established reputation of service to local communities. The farm has seen extensive investment over the past 5 years, with technology improving efficiencies and most importantly developing herd wellbeing.

With a renewed focus on tradition and local service, the Society stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of co-operative values. Today, the Radstock Co-op remains a cornerstone of its community, embodying the essence of a resilient, independent local co-operative, deeply rooted in its origins.