Lewis & Cooper
 | |
| Company type | Private limited company |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1899 |
| Founder | George 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 |
Lewis & 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]
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
[edit]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
[edit]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]
References
[edit]- ^ {{cite news |title=Tributes paid to 'a true gentleman'
- ^ The Northern Echo April 7, 2001 PUDS ACROSS THE ATLANTIC TO SPREAD STORE'S FAME SECTION: Pg. 12
- ^ a b c How Northallerton's Lewis & Cooper became a global gourmet emporium | Yorkshire Life
- ^ Chapman, Peter (11 September 2004). "50 Best Cheese Shops for Foodies". The Independent. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- ^ Evening Gazette February 2, 2011 Wednesday 1st Edition Hamper full of profits... SECTION: BUSINESS; Pg. 19
- ^ Lewis & Cooper - Food & Drink - northallerton - Welcome To Yorkshire
- ^ "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) - ^ Birthday Celebrations for Lewis & Cooper's Grocery Store
- ^ 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
- ^ Give us today our deli bread: The pioneers who answered our artisanal prayers - Features - Food & Drink - The Independent
- ^ Give us today our deli bread: The pioneers who answered our artisanal prayers - Features - Food & Drink - The Independent
- ^ Yorkshire businesswoman returns home after global career to head up Northallerton café | Bdaily Business News
- ^ The Northern Echo August 22, 2000 EATING OWT - A TASTE OF 'OWD ENGLAND BYLINE: Mike Amos SECTION: Pg. 11
- ^ "Much-loved high street deli to close its Teesside branch". Teesside Gazette. 5 June 2020.
- ^ "Lewis & Cooper closes Harrogate store". Harrogate Advertiser. 21 January 2013.
- ^ a b The Grocer July 19, 2008 Store visit Lewis & Cooper SECTION: INDEPENDENT VIEW; Pg. 32
- ^ Lewis & Cooper, Greengrocer in Northallerton, North Yorkshire: Good Food Near You: Good Food Channel
- ^ Yorkshire Post February 14, 2004 Selling Yorkshire keeps one shop thriving in an age of superstores
- ^ The Independent (London) August 9, 2008 THE 50 BEST Delicatessens, Rhiannon Batten