Invest in share capital
UPDATE: 24th June ’25
The Society has given notice to its Members recommending a transfer of engagements to Central Co-op, see here for further details. During this process the Society will not be accepting any further investment from Members. Those Members that hold investments have been informed that there is a complete suspension of withdrawing their investment during this time. Please contact our Chief Financial Officer, Lisa Waghorn, for further details here.
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Have you ever considered investing in a business that has had roots in the local community for over 150 years?
Maybe now is the time for your money to branch out into other areas? Our members have the option of investing in our ‘share capital’, allowing us a greater range of options when it comes to supporting local community. You can invest anything from £1 to £50,000 into Chelmsford Star Co-op, and in turn we reward you with interest rates and bonus payments of up to 5.25%.
What’s in it for you? Our combined interest rate and loyalty bonus means we offer a very competitive way of rewarding our members.
What’s in it for Essex? Leaving your money with us will make a big difference to your community as we will reinvest it back into Essex. You’ll see examples of the types of initiative we support across this website.
Terms & Conditions of scheme:
The maximum loyalty bonus is achieved if your capital is left for the duration of a financial year. Removing your investment within that time will reduce your bonus. Rates are correct as of 26th June 2025.
The value of your investment remains at par and will not go up or down. The Society gives no specific security against the investment other than the strength of its own independently audited balance sheet, copies of which are available on request or on the Society’s website.
Matters relating to Interest include:
- Interest is not subject to deduction of taxation and the gross amount will be credited to the account annually, unless payment of interest is requested by the member.
- Interest is calculated on a daily basis.
- Where adding interest to the account would increase the balance above the £50,000 maximum limit, the excess amount will be paid to keep the account within the Rule’s limits.
- Interest is paid on Investment Shares at rates which is determined by the Board of Directors and may vary if market conditions change, but which will always be competitive. Alterations to interest rates will be advised by notices prominently displayed in the registered office and on the website, similar to the announcement appearing below.
- Interest may be requested to be paid half-yearly, where the capital sum invested exceeds £15,000. Interest cheques may not be reinvested.
Taxpayers have a responsibility to declare interest to HM Revenue and Customs.
Current Rates – from 26th January 2025;
| Interest | Bonus | Total | |
| £0-£4,999 | 1% | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| £5k-£9999 | 1% | 1.5% | 2.5% |
| £10k-£14,999 | 1.75% | 2.25% | 4% |
| £15k-£50k | 2.5% | 2.75% | 5.25% |
Loyalty Bonus – from 26th January 2025 amounts held until 31st January 2026 will attract a bonus for each complete calendar month of investment at the prevailing rate.
Monies added after 26th January 2025, in the above-stated interest bands, will accrue a loyalty bonus at 1/12th of the advertised rate for each complete month of investment, provided they remain invested until 31st January 2026.
Amounts withdrawn before 31st January 2026 will still receive interest at the prevailing rate for that band of investment up to the date notice of withdrawal is received, but will not qualify for any bonus.
In the event of a part withdrawal, the amount which remains invested will continue to accrue bonus (at the rate applicable to that band of investment) provided the holding has not fallen below the minimum qualifying level for loyalty bonus.
Withdrawals: Specific clauses are provided within the Society’s Rule book (Rule 29), relating to the Board’s power to limit or suspend withdrawals, either partially or wholly.
In preparation for the Special General Meeting announced to discuss the transfer of engagements, Chelmsford Star’s Board has agreed a complete suspension of withdrawable Share Capital from 24th June 2025. This means that members are not able to request a withdrawal of any Share Capital (the Society will honour any requests made through probate). This complete suspension is required as it is crucial that the Society can present a factual financial position to Central Co-op as part of its due diligence, including the balance of the Society’s shareholdings.
If the Members of Chelmsford Star approve the transfer at the meeting on 5 August, the complete suspension of withdrawal is likely to be lifted shortly afterwards. Following this, the partial suspension of share capital withdrawal, that has been in place since 28 April 2022, would likely continue until the transfer is complete in mid-September. After which withdrawals will be follow the process set out in Rule 30 of Central Co-ops’s Rules.
Please note: The Society abides by a code of practice which requires it to provide a statement to its shareholders of the nature of their investment and any change affecting it. The position each member occupies as a shareholder of Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society is no different to that of a shareholder in any corporate body in the sense that, if the business fails, they may not have all, or any, of their investment returned to them. Investments may be withdrawn without penalty, at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Society, unlike banks and building societies, is not subject to prudential supervision by the Financial Conduct Authority.
For information about becoming a member or making an investment, contact:
Investment Department, Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society Limited, FREEPOST ANG 2556, Chelmsford CM2 0YY
Or e-mail Lauren@chelmsfordstar.coop Tel. 01245 490101 ext 517
Page updated 24/06/23
| Current | Interest | Bonus | Total |
| £0-£4,999 | 1% | 0.5% | 1.5% |
| £5k-£9,999 | 1% | 1.5% | 2.5% |
| £10k-£14,999 | 1.75% | 2.25% | 4% |
| £15k-£50k | 2.5% | 2.75% | 5.25% |
Bonus eligible if funds left untouched for a year.
