The Oldrids Group is set to expand, with the announcement it is in talks to take over Lincolnshire Co-operative’s home stores in Lincoln and Gainsborough.
The potential new arrangements have just been announced to staff working at the branches in Tritton Road, Lincoln, and Market Place, Gainsborough.
It is planned that staff working in the home and coffee shop sections at both sites will transfer to working for the Oldrids Group by mid-February, subject to legal agreements.
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.”
Oldrids Group managing director Annmarie McClintock said: “We’re delighted to be working on this partnership with Lincolnshire Co-operative.
“This initiative would mean more people in Lincolnshire would be able to access an Oldrids Group shopping experience, with potentially new sites in Lincoln and Gainsborough joining our existing stores in Grantham and Boston.”
Lincolnshire Co-op runs travel branches at both sites and a post office in Gainsborough.
Under the proposed new arrangements, these services would continue to be part of the society.
The proposed plans also include the transfer of a travel branch run by Oldrids Group at Grantham to Lincolnshire Co-op.
Under the proposals, Lincolnshire Co-op would continue to own the whole of the Tritton Road and Market Place sites, including the car parks.
Current customer orders for goods such as furniture and carpets will be honoured and both the sites in Lincoln and Gainsborough will continue trading as normal throughout the process.
A spokesman for the Co-op said there is ‘a possibility of redundancies at the home stores warehouse on the Tritton Road site but Lincolnshire Co-op and Oldrids will be working hard to ensure these are kept to a minimum.
The move would, however, transfer the jobs of sales, store admin and coffee shop staff at both sites.
Oldrids Group is a well-established local firm, dating back to 1804.
The company runs Oldrids department store in Boston, Downtown furnishing store in Wyberton and the Downtown Superstore and Garden Centre at Gonerby junction, near Grantham.
By becoming part of Oldrids, it is hoped the home stores will benefit from the firm’s expertise and supply contracts.
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