Campaigners wanted stores remain part of mutual organisation.
Yorkshire based retail group BATA is to remain a co-operative after a proposal to convert it to a private limited company was overturned.
At a special members’ meeting last Tuesday (15 August), ordinary share members of the mutual were asked to vote on the future of BATA – the Brandsby Agricultural Trading Association.
BATA has around 3,000 members, a substantial number of whom had formed a campaigning group to fight to maintain the company’s co-operative business model.
“Long live BATA as a co-operative” and “Phew” were among the responses to the outcome of a “fractious” meeting, reported local media.
There are 11 BATA country stores, 2 petrol stations and convenience stores, Robinsons Equestrian in Malton, plus outlets at South West Lancashire Farmers and Thompsons of York.
BATA is registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act and has a Board of non-executive directors who are elected by share members.
Any surplus profits are partly retained for future investment and distributed to members as interest and dividend.
