Southern Co-op May Close If Members Do Not Agree to Join National Co-op

Apr 24, 2026, 14:19

Introduction

Southern Co-op is a group of shops in the south of England. It has more than 300 shops. The group is losing money. It says it may have to close. The only way to stay open is to join a bigger group called the National Co-op.

Main Body

Southern Co-op lost money for three years. Business got worse last year. Banks and suppliers helped the group keep going. A computer attack on the National Co-op made things harder. The group expects to lose more than £20 million next year. It tried to spend less money, but it was not enough. On April 22, the leaders told members that joining the National Co-op is the only way to stay open. Members will vote on May 6 and May 21. If they say no, the group will close. Someone from outside will sell everything. Shops will close, people will lose jobs, and suppliers will have problems. The leaders said the group cannot stay alone. No other offers of money came. Banks and suppliers cannot give more help. The merger will give the group money and save jobs. The new big group will have about £11.5 billion in sales and nearly 2,500 shops. The leaders said this choice is hard but needed to help members.

Conclusion

The future of Southern Co-op depends on the members' vote. The leaders say the choice is between joining the National Co-op or closing. There is no other way.

Vocabulary Learning

close (v.)
shut / to stop operating permanently關閉 (永久停止運作)
Example:The shop may close if it loses too much money.
help (v.)
aid / to give support or assistance to someone or something幫助 (給予支持或協助)
Example:Banks and suppliers helped the group keep going.
join (v.)
become part of / to become a member of a larger group or organization加入 (成為較大群體或組織的一部分)
Example:The only way to stay open is to join the National Co-op.
lose (v.)
be without / to no longer have something, especially money失去 (不再擁有，尤指金錢)
Example:The group lost money for three years.
vote (v.)
cast a ballot / to make a choice in an election or meeting by raising your hand or marking a paper投票 (在選舉或會議中做出選擇)
Example:Members will vote on May 6 and May 21.

Sentence Learning

Southern Co-op lost money for three years.
Time Marker: 'for three years' shows how long something lasted.'for three years' 表示某事持續了多長時間。
It tried to spend less money, but it was not enough.
Contrast: 'but' connects two opposite ideas.'but' 連接兩個相反的意思。
On April 22, the leaders told members that joining the National Co-op is the only way to stay open.
Time Marker: 'On April 22' tells when the action happened.'On April 22' 說明動作發生的時間。
If they say no, the group will close.
Condition: 'If' shows a condition that leads to a result.'If' 表示導致結果的條件。
The merger will give the group money and save jobs.
Addition: 'and' adds two positive results together.'and' 將兩個正面結果加在一起。