CHRIS BLANCHETT, Chief Executive of East of England Co-op, has retired after a lifetime career in retailing, which started as a management trainee with Marks and Spencer in the late 60s, writes Miriam Harrup. However, given his Co-op family background ? his orphaned father started work at the age of 15 as a grocery apprentice in the New Swindon Industrial Co-operative Society in 1928 - perhaps it was inevitable that he ended up joining the then Colchester and East Essex Society in 1991.

THE fifth largest retail co-op in the UK will become a reality this weekend (October 30). The merger between the Ipswich and Norwich, and Colchester and East Essex societies has formed the East of England Co-op. Approval to go-ahead with the merger was given at a series of members' meetings held during September and October, the final confirmatory meeting was held in Colchester on October 26 when members voted in favour of the merger and the creation of the society.

MEMBERS will decide if the proposed merger between Ipswich and Norwich and Colchester and East Essex societies is to go ahead at meetings over the next two months. The new super Co-op will be called East of England Co-operative Society and operational from the end of October if approved. It will be the fifth largest retail society in the UK with 200 trading outlets and annual sales of more than £ 400 million.