In May 2012, local supermarket group Harry Tuffins sold its stores to the Midcounties Co-operative Society. The Competition Commission was none too happy with the deal and some stores were transferred back to Tuffins. But Ludlow’s Foldgate store remains in Co-op hands.
From Monday, you will be able to use your co-operative membership cards at Tuffins and accumulate points towards an annual dividend. That’s paid twice a year or you can donate it to charity. If you are not a member, you can sign up in the store right now or online.
The Tower Street co-op store has long been pretty awful. It sells no local food, its chilled cabinets are in a permanent state of breakdown and at times the service is pretty awful. But this is owned by the national co-operative group. Midcounties runs a number of stores locally including at Church Stretton. These are excellent and put Ludlow’s central store to shame.
My one concern is that the Foldgate store will eventually source less local food and other produce. Tuffins has a great record for local meat, milk and veg. I hope it is maintained.
Meanwhile, the post office in the Tower Street One Stop is to have makeover. The post office will be closed from Thursday 24 October until 1pm Friday 1 November. During the closure, we will have to use the other One Stop post office at East Hamlet.
When Tower Street reopens, it will open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
That’s excellent news. The post office has long been hampered by archaic practices and opening hours. It is at long last coming into the modern world and opening at hours that will suit a wider range of customers.