Celebrating 125 years of Coca-Cola in Great Britain: championing local and supporting communities
This year marks 125 years of Coca-Cola in Great Britain – a milestone that invites reflection, celebration and, importantly, a renewed commitment to the communities that have helped shape our journey.
For more than a century, Coca-Cola has been a familiar presence on shelves and in fridges across the UK. But our legacy goes far beyond what’s in the bottle. From creating jobs to championing sustainability and supporting grassroots retail, our story is, and always has been, deeply local.
A shared history with Britain’s high streets
At Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), our footprint spans five manufacturing sites across the country and thousands of retail partners.1 Over 97 per cent of the drinks we sell here are made here, and we support more than 43,000 jobs across our supply chain.2 But there’s one group that deserves particular recognition in our 125th year: the independent shop owners and store workers who keep their lights on for their communities, rain or shine.
According to new research, nearly a quarter of British consumers now rely more on their local convenience store than any other retail outlet.3 These aren’t just shops – they’re vital hubs for people seeking quick, essential access to food, drink and services. In fact, more than a third of Brits view their local convenience store as a “lifeline”.4
At CCEP, we’ve stood alongside these retail entrepreneurs for decades. Last year alone, our portfolio delivered over £317m in sales through convenience outlets.5 These stores are more than distribution points – they’re partnerships rooted in mutual success.
Listening and learning from local leaders
It’s been inspiring to hear from retailers like Rav Garcha, who operates six stores in the Midlands and Portsmouth. Rav describes his role not just as a business owner, but as a community pillar – someone who shares everyday life with customers, from morning chats to helping deliver groceries to the vulnerable.6
These stories remind us that retail is personal. That’s why we continue to invest in resources, insights, and infrastructure to help retailers innovate – from supporting online delivery services and social media engagement, to helping shops diversify their offering with parcel collection or ATM access.
The economic engine behind the bottle
Coca-Cola’s economic contribution to the UK totals £4.2bn each year.7 That’s not just headline figures – it’s tangible investment. Since 2021, we’ve invested £150m into our local operations, helping our sites including Wakefield, Morpeth and East Kilbride expand, modernise, and deliver products made for – and by – local people.8
In Wakefield, for example, we produce over 221-million-unit cases of product each year – 11,000 bottles and cans every minute – and have been committed to zero waste to landfill for over a decade.9 Similar stories echo from Sidcup to Edmonton: high-tech production, meaningful local employment with sustainability at the core.
And our people make it happen – every one of them. From our 177 apprentices to our longest-serving engineers, warehouse operators, field sales reps, and head office teams, every individual plays an important role. We’re committed to continually strengthening our teams, building on our work to become a more accessible employer. That involves creating inclusive, disability confident, accessible work environments by fostering a workforce that truly reflects the communities we serve.
Leading on sustainability – and backing a Deposit Return Scheme
With an ambitious sustainability agenda, we now make all our 500ml bottles or smaller from 100 per cent recycled plastic (excluding cap and label), and all our plastic bottles across our range have attached caps – that makes recycling easier for everyone.10
Yet we know recycling doesn’t start and end with us. That’s why we’re backing a simple, consistent Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) across the UK. A well-designed DRS has the potential to boost recycling rates, reduce litter, and close the loop – helping us move closer to a circular economy. While the timelines are undoubtedly ambitious, we are ready to roll up our sleeves and get on with delivering an interoperable scheme that works for businesses, consumers and the environment.
What comes next
As we look ahead, our focus remains unchanged: creating value for people, communities, and the planet. This anniversary isn’t just about nostalgia – it’s about momentum. It’s about recognising the convenience store bosses and their coworkers stocking fridges at 6am, the engineer on the bottling line in Wakefield, and the young apprentice stepping into their first job.
Together, we’ve come a long way in 125 years. But there’s still much more to do. And at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, we’re more committed than ever to doing it hand-in-hand with the people and places that have made our journey possible.
- Manufacturing at CCEP GB. https://www.ccep.jobs/en/manufacturing.
- Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Local Impact Report, March 2025, p. 4.
- Opinium research, sample of 2,000 nationally representative UK adults. Data collected between 21.02.2025 and 25.02.2025
- Opinium research, sample of 2,000 nationally representative UK adults. Data collected between 21.02.2025 and 25.02.2025
- Nielsen Total Impulse - Independents Sales Value data MAT to 22.03.25
- Coca-Cola celebrates convenience stores as part of its 125th anniversary in GB, press release, 15.04.2025.
- Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Local Impact Report, March 2025, p. 4.
- Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Local Impact Report, March 2025, p. 4.
- Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Local Impact Report, March 2025, p. 7.
- Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Local Impact Report, March 2025, p. 5.
