Haldanes
Encyclopedia
Haldanes was a chain of mid-sized supermarket
s that operated in the United Kingdom
. Established in 2009, the company was the first mid-sized supermarket chain to start business in the UK in 27 years, having been buying stores from the Co-operative group
, which was forced to sell some shops following its acquisition of Somerfield
. The chain were keen to promote their intentions towards supporting local communities, such as committing to sourcing at least 35% of its food and drink from local producers
at each store and by supporting community events, a statement reflected in their tagline, "Refreshingly Local". The first of the Haldanes stores began trading from mid-November 2009. Haldanes went into administration on 10 June 2011 and ceased trading a few days later.
to sell some stores following its acquisition of Somerfield. Although most of the initial stores were based in Scotland
, the retailer has stated that they intend to acquire stores "the length and breadth of the UK", with their first store in England set to open in January 2010 in Tattershall
, Lincolnshire
.
The first store opened on Wednesday 18 November 2009 in Prestonpans
, East Lothian
. In the same week, the company announced that its first store in England would open in January 2010 in former Co-operative Group premises in the Lincolnshire
village of Tattershall
.
On 10 June 2011 Haldanes went into administration and announced the closure of 21 supermarkets. No luck has been had in finding a buyer which could result in hundreds of jobs lost. A support forum for ex Haldanes/UGO employees has been set up at www.larkhall.biz/haldanes
On 26 June 2011 The owner of Haldanes Arthur Harris pulled the plug on the business due to Haldanes being unable to find a buyer and having debts of over £8 million.
, Lincolnshire; a regional office was being established in Broxburn
, near Edinburgh
at the time of closure. The buying group Nisa-Today's supplied most of the chain's goods, except those sourced locally.
Haldanes operated small and medium-sized supermarkets, between about 3000 square feet (278.7 m²) and 15000 square feet (1,393.5 m²) in size.
Supermarket
A supermarket, a form of grocery store, is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments...
s that operated in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Established in 2009, the company was the first mid-sized supermarket chain to start business in the UK in 27 years, having been buying stores from the Co-operative group
The Co-operative Group
The Co-operative Group Ltd. is a United Kingdom consumer cooperative with a diverse range of business interests. It is co-operatively run and owned by its members. It is the largest organisation of this type in the world, with over 5.5 million members, who all have a say in how the business is...
, which was forced to sell some shops following its acquisition of Somerfield
Somerfield
Somerfield was a chain of small to medium sized supermarkets operating in the United Kingdom. The company was taken over by the Co-operative Group on 2 March 2009 in a £1.57 billion deal, creating the UK's fifth largest food retailer. The name is currently being phased out and replaced by the...
. The chain were keen to promote their intentions towards supporting local communities, such as committing to sourcing at least 35% of its food and drink from local producers
Local purchasing
Local purchasing is a preference to buy locally produced goods and services over those produced more distantly. It is very often abbreviated as a positive goal 'buy local' to parallel the phrase think globally, act locally common in green politics....
at each store and by supporting community events, a statement reflected in their tagline, "Refreshingly Local". The first of the Haldanes stores began trading from mid-November 2009. Haldanes went into administration on 10 June 2011 and ceased trading a few days later.
History
The chain was founded in 2009 and began trading in November 2009 with five stores, with a further 13 outlets across the UK planned for Easter 2010. The company's first stores were purchased from the Co-operative group, which was forced by the Competition CommissionCompetition Commission
The Competition Commission is a non-departmental public body responsible for investigating mergers, markets and other enquiries related to regulated industries under competition law in the United Kingdom...
to sell some stores following its acquisition of Somerfield. Although most of the initial stores were based in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, the retailer has stated that they intend to acquire stores "the length and breadth of the UK", with their first store in England set to open in January 2010 in Tattershall
Tattershall
Tattershall is a village and civil parish in the East Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England, located on the A153 Horncastle to Sleaford road, east of the point where that road crosses the River Witham. At its eastern end, Tattershall adjoins the village of Coningsby, to the north of the village...
, Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
.
The first store opened on Wednesday 18 November 2009 in Prestonpans
Prestonpans
Prestonpans is a small town to the east of Edinburgh, Scotland, in the unitary council area of East Lothian. It has a population of 7,153 . It is the site of the 1745 Battle of Prestonpans, and has a history dating back to the 11th century...
, East Lothian
East Lothian
East Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Midlothian. Its administrative centre is Haddington, although its largest town is Musselburgh....
. In the same week, the company announced that its first store in England would open in January 2010 in former Co-operative Group premises in the Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
village of Tattershall
Tattershall
Tattershall is a village and civil parish in the East Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England, located on the A153 Horncastle to Sleaford road, east of the point where that road crosses the River Witham. At its eastern end, Tattershall adjoins the village of Coningsby, to the north of the village...
.
On 10 June 2011 Haldanes went into administration and announced the closure of 21 supermarkets. No luck has been had in finding a buyer which could result in hundreds of jobs lost. A support forum for ex Haldanes/UGO employees has been set up at www.larkhall.biz/haldanes
On 26 June 2011 The owner of Haldanes Arthur Harris pulled the plug on the business due to Haldanes being unable to find a buyer and having debts of over £8 million.
Management
The Chief Executive of Haldanes was Arthur Haldane Stuart Harris. The retail operation was headed by Operations Director Richard Collins and Chris Laud was Finance Director, managing the financial and administrative side of the firm. Stuart Eaton was the Facilities Director responsible for the physical assets and buildings used by the company. Other members of the board included Steve Back, former chief executive officer of Somerfield.Operations
The company had two operational bases. Its headquarterswere in GranthamGrantham
Grantham is a market town within the South Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, England. It bestrides the East Coast Main Line railway , the historic A1 main north-south road, and the River Witham. Grantham is located approximately south of the city of Lincoln, and approximately east of Nottingham...
, Lincolnshire; a regional office was being established in Broxburn
Broxburn, West Lothian
Broxburn is a town in West Lothian, Scotland located west of Edinburgh on the A8 road. It is situated approximately from Edinburgh Airport, and to the north of Livingston....
, near Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
at the time of closure. The buying group Nisa-Today's supplied most of the chain's goods, except those sourced locally.
Haldanes operated small and medium-sized supermarkets, between about 3000 square feet (278.7 m²) and 15000 square feet (1,393.5 m²) in size.