Yorkshire Co-operatives, whose empire includes a large department store in Skipton, have announced that their profits from last year have been record breaking.

Turnover for the last year has increased by 15.6 per cent from the previous year to almost £362 million whilst trading surplus has also increased by 28.8 per centto £9.6 million.

All the Co-op's divisions which include food stores, motor dealerships, travel agencies, petrol stations, funeral division and department stores have shown major increases.

The food division, with 104 stores across Yorkshire, has shown an increase in turnover of 9 per cent, mainly because of redevelopment of the stores which have been re-branded under the Co-op Late shop or Co-op Foodmarket banner.

"Our redevelopment programme will continue throughout 1998 with £10 million being spent on new shops and conversion of existing shops throughout Yorkshire," said chief executive Tony Henry.

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