The Heart of England Co-operative is looking to move its head office from Nuneaton to Coventry.
A spokeswoman for the co-op confirmed the society was in negotiations for the sale of its head office site in Nuneaton. The department store based near the HQ closed in June 2016 as part of the society’s decision to close loss-making non-food stores across its trading area. Since then, the building in Abbey Street has been empty.
In its annual report, Heart of England also reveals that it has been in discussions with the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council to explore ways to re-develop the town centre. After being unable to find a suitable location in Nuneaton, the society decided to move its head office to Coventry, on the former Courtaulds site.
The society, which dates back to 1832, has seen its operating profits rise to £5.5m for the year ending 20 January 2017, up from £1.7m the previous year. During this period, the society disposed of “redundant non-food premises” at Rugby and Coventry and its distribution centre in Nuneaton.
In the report, Heart of England said the decision had been made with “reluctance” but it “had no choice but to move out to new premises”.
It added: “We have been searching for some time for a new head office building in the Nuneaton area. However, despite our concerted efforts to find a suitable site and premises in Nuneaton, we have not been successful.
“Consequently, we have had no alternative but to relocate to the nearest available location which meets our requirements. We have recently identified a site which meets our requirements just north of Coventry at Whittle House, Courtaulds Way, Coventry on the former Courtaulds site.”
