Lewis & Cooper

Last updated

Lewis & Cooper Ltd
Type Private limited company
Founded1899
FounderGeorge Lewis
Binks Cooper
Headquarters,
England
Area served
United Kingdom
Key people
Dr David Geary (chairman) [1]

Jonathan Hindley (Director) </ref>

David Pears (Retail Director) </ref>
Number of employees
85 [2]
Website www.lewisandcooper.co.uk

peopleLewis & Cooper Ltd is an upmarket delicatessen based in the market town of Northallerton, in North Yorkshire. [3] It was established in 1899 by George Lewis and Binks Barton Cooper, and is still owned and operated by Lewis' direct descendants. [3]

Contents

Since the 1980s, Lewis & Cooper has developed a reputation as the "Fortnum & Mason of the North". [4] They are known nationwide for their Christmas puddings and hampers, which are sold online, in upmarket retailers including Selfridge's and Harvey Nichols, as well as in store. [5]

History

The Northallerton store building dates back to the seventeenth century. [6] In 1899, both George Henry Lewis and Binks Barton Cooper worked as managers at a high street grocery business in Northallerton. [7] After the owner decided to sell the failing business, Lewis and Cooper executed a management buyout. [8] The company was incorporated in January 1903. Cooper, a sleeping partner, sold his share of the business in 1914, but the Lewis & Cooper name remained. [3] The company has sold hampers since 1936. [9]

The customer base began to dwindle by the end of the 1970s, due to the rise of the supermarkets. [10] In response, Lewis & Cooper began to reposition itself from a traditional grocers into a specialist upmarket food retailer. [11]

In 1999, tea rooms were opened on the first floor of the Northallerton store, in what was formerly the manager's quarters. [12] That same year, the store was featured on the newly released Yorkshire Monopoly board game. [13] A smaller store opened in Yarm in 2001, which closed in June 2020. [14] A Harrogate store opened in December 2011, but closed down in January 2013, following disappointing sales figures. [15]

Operations

Lewis & Cooper carries specialist items not often stocked by the major supermarkets, such as Chatka crab, Russian caviar and quail eggs. [16] The Northallerton store has 32,000 different product lines, versus the supermarket average of 5,000, located across 6,000 square feet. [16] [17] 25 per cent of the Northallerton store's stock is sourced from the Yorkshire area. [18] Rhiannon Batten of The Independent described the store as "one of the UK's most famous food emporiums." [19]

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References

  1. {{cite news |title=Tributes paid to 'a true gentleman'
  2. The Northern Echo April 7, 2001 PUDS ACROSS THE ATLANTIC TO SPREAD STORE'S FAME SECTION: Pg. 12
  3. 1 2 3 How Northallerton's Lewis & Cooper became a global gourmet emporium | Yorkshire Life
  4. Chapman, Peter (11 September 2004). "50 Best Cheese Shops for Foodies". The Independent. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  5. Evening Gazette February 2, 2011 Wednesday 1st Edition Hamper full of profits... SECTION: BUSINESS; Pg. 19
  6. Lewis & Cooper - Food & Drink - northallerton - Welcome To Yorkshire
  7. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. Birthday Celebrations for Lewis & Cooper's Grocery Store
  9. The Independent (London) September 16, 2006 Saturday Final Edition THE50BEST Food shops; From fish to fowl, chops to cheese, organic, homegrown or exotic, Britain offers a cornucopia of produce. Caroline Stacey tucks in BYLINE: Caroline Stacey SECTION: FEATURES; Pg. 4
  10. Give us today our deli bread: The pioneers who answered our artisanal prayers - Features - Food & Drink - The Independent
  11. Give us today our deli bread: The pioneers who answered our artisanal prayers - Features - Food & Drink - The Independent
  12. Yorkshire businesswoman returns home after global career to head up Northallerton café | Bdaily Business News
  13. The Northern Echo August 22, 2000 EATING OWT - A TASTE OF 'OWD ENGLAND BYLINE: Mike Amos SECTION: Pg. 11
  14. "Much-loved high street deli to close its Teesside branch". Teesside Gazette. 5 June 2020.
  15. "Lewis & Cooper closes Harrogate store". Harrogate Advertiser. 21 January 2013.
  16. 1 2 The Grocer July 19, 2008 Store visit Lewis & Cooper SECTION: INDEPENDENT VIEW; Pg. 32
  17. Lewis & Cooper, Greengrocer in Northallerton, North Yorkshire: Good Food Near You: Good Food Channel
  18. Yorkshire Post February 14, 2004 Selling Yorkshire keeps one shop thriving in an age of superstores
  19. The Independent (London) August 9, 2008 THE 50 BEST Delicatessens, Rhiannon Batten