Derby City’s symbolic ‘Co-op Cow’ sign to light up again

After it first lit up the skyline in 1955 with its red and green neon lights, the “Co-op cow” sign soon became well-loved – and a signal to the people of Derby that they were home.

The Co-op cow sign, a staple in Derby’s skyline since its original installation in 1955, has long been a beloved symbol of the city. Its neon lights—red for the cow and green for the accompanying slogan “gateway to health”—served as a recognizable beacon to locals, signaling their return home.

Over two decades ago, the sign was relocated to the side of Derby’s Central Hall during a redevelopment, but after some time, the neon lights went dark, never to be switched back on. Since then, various attempts to get the sign re-lit had been unsuccessful, with the switch seemingly lost. However, after years of anticipation, the sign is finally being re-illuminated, on Saturday, 8th March 2025.

While the Co-op cow may be less familiar to younger generations, it remains a cherished landmark for many of Derby’s older residents. Elaine Dean, president of Central Co-op, recalls the iconic sign being erected and its significance as a symbol of homecoming for many people in Derby. “It was always there—everyone knew that when you saw the cow in the distance, you were coming home to Derby,” she remarked.

Key Dates for the Co-op Cow:

• 1955: The original sign, featuring a large crimson cow lit with red neon lights and the slogan “gateway to health” in green neon, was placed atop Derby’s Central Hall building.
  
• 2001: The cow sign was temporarily removed for roofing repairs during the redevelopment of Central Hall.
  
• 2002: A re-positioned version of the cow was reinstalled on the side of the building. This newer location offered some protection from the harsh weather conditions it had previously been exposed to. The sign was lit again, though it eventually went dark, and efforts to reignite it were unsuccessful.
  
• 2010: Local musician Kevin Moore released a song titled “The Co-op Cow,” reflecting the sign’s cultural significance in Derby.
  
• 2025: After rewiring and the installation of white LED lighting, the Co-op cow is set to be re-lit on 1 March, marking its return to the Derby skyline.

Elaine Dean, reflecting on the first re-lighting in 2002, remembers the moment when the cow was illuminated once again by local electrician Ted Pickard. “We had a crowd up there to celebrate,” she recalled, “but soon after, the lights went out again, and no one seemed to care when the Co-op moved out of the building.” Despite her repeated inquiries, it wasn’t until this year, following a conversation with Dame Margaret Beckett, that she decided to push for its re-lighting again.

With support from Debbie Robinson, CEO of Central Co-op, the decision to bring the sign back to life was made, with many locals—such as BBC Radio Derby’s Andy Twigge—expressing their excitement. Kevin Moore, whose song has immortalized the Co-op cow, expressed his own enthusiasm for the sign’s revival. “It’s part of my childhood,” he said, “and I’m so happy it’s coming back. I’ll be remixing my song to mark the occasion.”

For those who remember it from its heyday, the Co-op cow is not just a sign—it’s a piece of Derby’s identity. “It’s as much a part of Derby as Rolls-Royce, the railways, and Royal Crown Derby,” said Andy Twigge, adding that for those of a certain generation, the sign was synonymous with home.

Source:
www.bbc.co.uk – ACJ Media- George Torr