Co-op voted the UK's most muzac-fouled supermarket by Pipedowners - Pipedown - the campaign for freedom from piped music

The Co-op chain of supermarkets has won the shameful distinction of being voted the national chain most polluted by piped music by Pipedowners. It has won this odious post, narrowly beating several of the major banking chains, by its ever-increasing deployment of piped music in its stores throughout Britain and by its persistent refusal to respond intelligently to letters of protest.

Just as the Co-op, which makes much of being an 'ethical trader', has in the past boycotted exploitative or racist suppliers, so anyone who cares about music, silence and above all human freedom is now urged to boycott the Co-op. Waitrose, Aldi, Liddl and Tesco are alternatives generally free of piped music – except for Tesco at Christmas – and are often cheaper too. Waitrose is a partnership like the Co-op. Unlike the Co-op, it has not succumbed to the piped music industry's propaganda.

Also write in protest to Mr Peter Marks, Chief Executive, The Co-op, New Century House, Corporation Street, Manchester M60 4ES .

The East of England Co-op chain, which retains a certain autonomy from the Manchester headquarters and does not normally inflict piped music on its customers and staff, makes a happy exception to this deplorable status, and does not need to be boycotted.

Comments

written on 12-Oct-2011
Angie [http://www.linkedin.com/in/angiebaxter] says:
We've been boycotting our local Co-op since they introduced Co-op radio. When we complained, the supervisor was rude: "I'm fed up with people like you complaining!" and then said he didn't have to serve us. We asked to speak to the manager, who said no one had complained! They will not listen to reason, although we've politely pointed out the problems caused for those who are blind or deaf. Our of curiosity, we popped in last night. Not surprisingly, there was no change, and one member of staff we spoke to hated it. Her complaints were ignored. Our local Sainsbury's continues to be music-free.
written on 28-Oct-2011
Peter Pimley says:
Oh dear. I stumbled upon this site just after having written to the Co-op about their maddening noise. It doesn't look like my letter will have much of an effect.
written on 26-Nov-2011
Melanie Eskenazi says:
I have never been to a Co Op (there is no branch near where I live) but it seems to me that the muzak in M&S is the worst of any I have experienced.

Waterstone's is also dreadful. Muzak, in a book store? No wonder we all run to Amazon. One can only hope that Daunt Books, which has taken over Waterstone's, will put an end to to the muzak, absence of which is one of Daunt's great advantages.
written on 14-Dec-2011
Fran Smales says:
I hate the screech of "music" in the Co-op. It is counter-productive as I get out of the store as quickly as possible. Living in a rural area I don't have much choice where to shop but the Co-op would get much more of my business if it cut out the racket. Not only is the choice of music excruciatingly bad; to add insult to injury, they use the tinniest, poorest quality sound systems to project it.
written on 24-Dec-2011
Phil Johnstone says:
I heartily agree about the Co-op. Unfortunately in many rural areas one has no choice of shop. The last time I visited the Co-op in Helmsley, N. Yorks (a very 'nice' town), it was free from muzac, and I did compliment the staff. Maybe they do have the option of turning it off?

I once remarked to the manager of a Little Chef (somewhere I normally avoid) about the refreshing absence of piped music. She said. 'Oh, the system's broken, we're waiting for the engineer.'
written on 25-Feb-2012
Bettina Blanke says:
I've found myself walking out of the local coop, getting into the car and driving the 13 miles to the nearest musac-free shop - a Lidl... How daft is that? And then the coop goes on about how wonderful they are - for the environment and the people!? I don't think I've been in more than twice over the last year now. Simply unbearable.
written on 22-Mar-2012
janice davies says:
i am so sick of the co-op radio. i live above co-op and i have to put up with it from 8-10pm every single day.(the staff come in at 6 open at 7) soon i will have the pleasure of this greedy selfish company working until 11pm! its bad enough i have to wait to go to bed until they leave when they bang doors and finaly turn off that horrid horrid radio. i have complained so much that (they own the flat i have been in for four yrs) they are not renewing my tenancy. APPAULING behavour. Their agent promised to get me out of here and to find me some where else to live when i said this couldnt go on. the person who lives next door works for them as well and her behavour is alot to be desired! i said i wanted out but not like this. my Dr has put me on anti-dps and i have high blood pressure. im in my 50s. the co-op staff are on the defensive if you ask them to stop slaming doors or turn the music down or can you fix your buzzing fridge and sort your noisy generator in the yard. this horrible shop is in street where people live, in a built up area.It is not in a high street or small shopping area, anyone would think it was a supermarket yet there is not enough room to swing a cat in it. I HATE THE CO-OP, AND I WILL NEVER SHOP IN ONE EVER AGAIN. Alot of my friends are doing the same. They dont care for a disco when they go shopping and i dont want one in my home.............................ignorant people When is the water-shed huh?

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