Totaling 30 rooms including eight bedrooms, 10 baths, two libraries, and formal and informal dining rooms, it was the most expensive co-op price ever paid in the U.S. at the time.

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So, in effect, Lloyds is lending the Co-op the purchase price.

BBC: Lloyds bigs up the Co-op

At the time the co-op might have yielded a price close to 1.5 times revenues, speculates a beverage industry analyst.

FORBES: Red Alert

At the time the co-op might have yielded a price close to 1.5 times revenues, a beverage industry analyst speculates.

FORBES: Red Alert

The Co-Op was the first chain to sign up to the optional scheme in Ipswich to remove any cut-price extra-strong long drinks.

BBC: Street drinker