CI Co-op turns 100

Monday 11 March 2019

2019 marks 100 years since the first Co-operative store opened in the Channel Islands, and the Society has a number of plans to celebrate the anniversary.

The first store opened in Jersey in June 1919 with Guernsey's first store opening in 1947.

Just some of the initiatives The Channel Islands Co-operative Society Limited will be launching to mark that include a 100 Year Community Fund and 100 hours’ colleague volunteering. 

The 100 Year Community Fund, which launches on Tuesday 23 April, will invite applications from local charities, schools and community groups that need funding for a project that will help them make a real difference in their community, and aim to be completed in 100 days. There will be ten successful projects that will each receive £1,000 to carry out the work. 

Colleagues are also being encouraged to help their local community through the ‘100 hours colleague volunteering’ initiative. Co-op employees will be able to apply for volunteering hours to be used on community projects and initiatives that are close to their hearts. 

The Channel Islands Co-operative Society’s Chief Executive Officer Colin Macleod, said: "2019 marks the 100th year of the Co-operative in the Channel Islands and as part of this we want to help create a strong sense of community and belonging. Throughout the year we will be hosting initiatives and events to bring people together and share in our celebrations."

Pictured: Colin Macleod. 

Mr Macleod said: "The Society has always been a retailer with the community at its heart. For our 100th year we will be sharing our ethos of ‘Belonging is everything’ through a number of exciting activities and initiatives, hoping to continue to build on the sense of community that we hold so dearly. This is what sets us apart from other retailers operating within our Island and is something I am extremely proud of.

"We are looking forward to sharing more with our members and customers in the coming months. In the meantime, please look out for the hashtag #CICOOP100 across our social platforms."

Pictured: The Co-op Grande Marche in St Martin.