Today marks an important milestone for Southern Co-op. Following approval by our members in May, the legal Transfer of Engagements to Siena Co-operative Limited has now completed. Siena Co-operative now operates as a subsidiary of Co-op Group with the two co-operatives continuing to operate separately while the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) considers the proposed merger. While this is an important step in our journey towards fully joining forces with Co-op Group, it's very much business as usual. Southern Co-op food stores and funeral homes continue to operate as normal with no immediate changes for our members, customers, colleagues or communities. We'll continue to share updates as the process progresses.
Fantastic news, congratulations to both parties, CBES wish you great success with the new venture, the partnership will doubtless be very beneficial for both businesses and even more so for local communities.
Reading this brings back memories of the merging of United Co-Operatives and The Co-Operative Groups many years ago