Shoppers are saying their fond farewells as the closure of a long-standing store signals the end of an era in Louth town centre.

The Wholefood Co-op store, which sold healthy and organic products, rather than processed food, first opened on Eastgate in 1991.

It has been run by a workers’ co-operative, which was believed to be the first to be registered in Lincolnshire when it was formed ten years earlier.

But now its doors are to shut for the final time, with stock being cleared over the next few Wednesdays and Fridays before a last closing date of Friday, August 28.

The Louth Wholefood Co-op store, which has been a mainstay of Eastgate for 35 years. (PHOTO BY: Google Maps)

placeholder image — The Louth Wholefood Co-op store, which has been a mainstay of Eastgate for 35 years. (PHOTO BY: Google Maps)

"It has been very moving in many ways,” said John Hough, a well-known former Labour councillor who was one of the founder members of the co-operative.

"We have a lot of memories. Customers or people who have been involved over the years have been coming in, saying how they came to the store as a child or their mothers and grandmothers supported us.

"We have had all kinds of customers over the years. And we have survived all sorts – recessions, Brexit, Covid and crises!

"We’ve not ended up millionaires, but we have provided an important service to the community.”

Sign of the times -- the announcement of the store's closure, although it will continue to open on Wednesdays and Fridays until the end of the month.

A workers’ co-operative is a business that is owned and democratically controlled by the people who work within it. All play their part in making decisions, and all are valued equally and paid the same.

The Wholefood Co-op’s origins can be traced back to 1981 when Jan Bang and Ruth Wilson, who now live in Norway, opened a market stall in Louth.

They soon teamed up with John and his then-wife, Lucy, along with Janet Smith, who still lives in the town, and the late Derek Owen to launch the co-operative, moving into the Eastgate shop 35 years ago.

Over the years, many others joined the wholefoods ‘revolution’, but current stalwarts include Carol Baker, of Louth, Jackie Revell, of North Somercotes, and Sue Shearsmith, of Goulceby. Not forgetting John’s current wife, Lesley, with whom he lives in South Somercotes.

Former Louth councillor John Hough, who was one of the founder members of the workers' co-operative.

All have ‘mucked in’ to make the store so successful – whether that be ‘bagging up’, shelf-filling or serving customers. And all have contributed their own particular skills.

The store has proved immensely popular with customers, who have enjoyed its wide range of healthy food, such as organic vegetables, dried fruit, nuts and cereals, herbs and spices, gluten-free products, Japanese foods, frozen vegetarian meals and wholefood snacks.

Organic fruity drinks, including wine, herbal remedies, dietary supplements, environmentally-friendly household products and beauty products have also been on the menu – all offered by friendly staff, always happy to advise and help.

One supporter who has benefited from the store’s services is Jane Filer, who is full of praise for its contribution to Louth.

She said: “Worker-owned co-operatives in the UK were a phenomenon of the 1970s and 1980s. Many of them no longer exist, but Louth’s has run for all this time and is a bit of a local institution.

"Some of the original members are still actively involved today, including John, who has dedicated his life to serving Louth in many different ways. He has been involved in several campaigns that have benefited the area.”

So why has Wholefood Co-op decided to hang up the ‘Closed’ sign for the last time?

"Some people feel they have done enough and maybe it is time to retire,” explained John, who served for 16 years on Lincolnshire County Council, for 17 years on East Lindsey District Council and for 12 years on Louth Town Council.

"It has been a long time. Some are getting a bit older and feel they have done their bit.

"However, we would like to thank all the people who have supported us over the years. Without them, we wouldn’t have been as successful as we have and we will miss them.”

After a well-earned holiday, John and Lesley will not be putting their feet up entirely in retirement. For they are heavily involved in another admirable project, a charity called Tanzania Rural Revival.

The charity raises money for the rural areas of the East African country which, John says, are blighted by a shortage of water, a lack of proper healthcare and crumbling schools.