Co-operative Societies
Co-operative Societies
The Archive holds many records relating to individual co-operative societies. These include minute books of society committees and sub-committees, financial records, photographs, reports, member registers, letters and society histories. These records are useful for researching family history, national and local events and for learning about the formation of co-operative societies.
The societies that the Archive hold records for are those that merged to form: the Midlands Co-operative Society, the Northern Region of the Co-operative Retail Services and the South Midlands and the South East Regions of the Co-operative Group. We also hold the records of some smaller societies.
Follow the links to find out more…
- MID – Midlands
- NCRS – Co-operative Retail Services (Northern Region)
- SMD – South Midlands
- SEC – South East Retail Group (CWS)
- MMC – Metropolitan Motor Cab Co-operative Society
- HCFS – Harlow/Playhouse Co-operative Film Society Collection
- DCD – North-West Durham Co-operative Dairies Ltd Durham Dairies (Annfield Plain) Ltd
- SGM – Stockport Great Moor Co-operative Society
- Society Histories
- SICS- Stalybridge Industrial Co-operative Society
- FIS- Failsworth Industrial Society
- LBC- Lothian and Borders Co-operative Society
- LPS- Leicester Co-operative Printing Society
MID – Midlands
This collection is made up of the records of the societies that merged to form the Midlands Co-operative Society. The collection consists of minute books of the society committees and sub-committees, reports and balance sheets, attendance registers, trust deeds, account books, letter books and share registers.
The societies include: Alcester, Ashby De La Zouch, Birmingham, Burbage, Burton-on-Trent, Coalville, Codnor Park & Ironville, Cosby, Derby, Enderby, Glenfield, Great Glen, Halesowen & Hasbury, Hathern, Huncote, Kettering, Kirkby Muxloe, Langley Mill & Aldercar, Leicester, Loughborough, Market Harborough, Markfield, Mayfield, Melton Mowbray, Mountsorrel, Oadby, Quordon, Ripley, Rothley, Rothwell, Shepshed & Hathern, Soho, Stafford & Stone, Ten Acres & Stirchley, Thrapston, Whetstone and Wigston.
Collection Listing:
The catalogue is on the Archives Hub (opens in new tab/ window)
NCRS – Co-operative Retail Services (Northern Region)
Co-operative Retail Services began life in 1934 under the original title of the Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS) Retail Society. It had two main purposes: firstly, either to assist struggling local retail societies or to take over those societies which had no future as independent units and no opportunity to amalgamate with a stronger neighbour, and, secondly, to further the development of co-operative trading in areas in which co-operative societies were not yet represented. This collection is made up of the records of the societies that merged to form the Northern Region of the Co-operative Retail Services.
The collection consists of minute books of the society committees and sub-committees, reports and balance sheets, account books, photographs, deeds, correspondence, newspaper cuttings, nomination books and property registers.
The societies include: Almondbury, Barnsley British, Birkenhead, Bridge End, Brierfield, Burnley, Castleford, Cawthorne, Close Hill, Colne, Conisborough, Cragg Vale, Denaby Main, Doncaster, Flockton, Garston, Great Grimsby, Halifax, Haslingden, Hill House, Hinchliffe Mill, Holmfield, Huddersfield, Hull, Kippax, Leigh, Liverpool, Longwood, Market Weighton, Marsden, Masborough, Meltham Mills, Morley, Mytholmroyd, Nelson, Padiham, Pendle, Pocklington, Ravensthorpe, Rawtenstall, Rotherham, Scissett, Scunthorpe, South Crosland & Netherton, Stainland & Holywell Green, Wakefield, and Walsden.
Collection Listing:
The catalogue is on the Archives Hub (opens in new tab/ window)
SMD – South Midlands
This collection is made up of the records of the societies in the South Midlands region of the Co-operative Group. The collection consists of minute books of the society committees and sub-committees, account books, reports and balance sheets, Co-operative Party branch records, photographs, packaging, and newspaper cuttings. The societies include; Enfield & St Albans, Enfield Highway, St Albans, and Cheshunt.
Collection Listing:
The catalogue is on the Archives Hub (opens in new tab/ window)
SEC – South East Retail Group (CWS)
The South East Retail Group (CWS) was formed in 1985 following the merger of Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society in 1985 and South Suburban Co-operative Society in 1984 into the Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS). The purpose of the Retail Group was to administer retail operations of the CWS in the South East region. Following 1985, further societies in the region merged with CWS and these localities joined the retail group. This collection is made up of the records of these societies, including minute books of the committees and sub-committees, reports and balance sheets, account books, agreements, photographs, posters, correspondence, maps and plans, deeds and newspaper cuttings.
The societies include: Addlestone, Ashford, Brighton, Chatham, Cliffe at Hoo, Cobham, Dartford, Dorking, Faversham and Thanet, Gillingham,Godalming, Gravesend, Guildford, Haselmere, Invicta, Rainham,Royal Arsenal, Sheerness, Sittingbourne, South Suburban, Slough, Sunningdale, and Woking.
Catalogue Listing:
The catalogue on the Archives Hub (opens in new tab/window)
MMC – Metropolitan Motor Cab Co-operative Society
The Metropolitan Motor Cab Co-operative Society was set up in 1927, with the first garage located in the railway arches at 320a Coldharbour Lane, London SW9. The collection consists of the minute books of the Management Committee and the members’ meetings. The records cover the period 1927-1977 and give a fascinating insight into how the society managed to survive throughout the Second World War.
Catalogue Listing:
The catalogue is on the Archives Hub (opens in new tab/window)
HCFS – Harlow/Playhouse Co-operative Film Society Collection
The society was originally founded in September 1950 as the Bishop’s Stortford and District Film Society. It was formed to give people the chance to see films not usually seen in the district, for example amateur, independent and international films.
In 1956 the society moved its headquarters and screenings to Harlow because it was running into financial difficulties, membership was falling and the population of Harlow was more than double that of Bishop’s Stortford. It was subsequently renamed the Harlow Film Society.
Rising costs and falling membership meant the society had to seek financial help. in 1963, it gained this from the London Co-operative Society, which agreed to pay for accommodation, film hire and an expert projectionist with a projector, on the understanding that the film society maintained a membership of between 60 and 70. The society was subsequently renamed the Harlow Co-operative Film Society. In spite of this financial backing, the society was wound up in 1965 due to a decline in membership and financial difficulties.
The society was reformed on 9 January 1970, and was still financially backed by the London Co-operative Society. It became part of the Playhouse Theatre Club in Harlow in 1972 and was subsequently renamed the Playhouse Co-operative Film Society. The first screening took place in the theatre in February 1972.
Lack of membership continued to be a problem for the society during its existence and it was wound up for the final time in 1993.
The collection is comprised primarily of minutes, accounts, newsletters, programmes, film notes, and general correspondence and documents from and related to the film society.
Collection Listing:
The catalogue is on the Archives Hub (opens in new tab/window)
DCD – North-West Durham Co-operative Dairies Ltd
Durham Dairies (Annfield Plain) Ltd
In 1930 a Special Milk Sub-Committee was established to set up a federal dairy for the supply of milk to households in the Durham area. Societies represented were Annfield Plain, Blaydon, Burnopfield, Consett, Craghead, Leadgate, Swalwell, West Stanley, West Pelton and Chester-le-Street. The Dairies opened in July 1932. In 1972 the name was changed to Durham Dairies (Annfield Plain) Ltd. Contracts were also won for the supply of milk to larger organisations such as hospitals and schools.
Business continued until the early 1980s when concern began to be expressed at the future of the milk industry. Finally in 1984 due to unfavourable trading conditions in general and contracts not being renewed, the workforce was made redundant. In 1985 the premises at Annfield Plain were sold to Associated Co-operative Creameries and the final General Meeting took place in October 1986.
The collection comprises seven bound volumes of typewritten Board and Committee Minutes from 1930 to 1986 and handwritten notes, letters and papers relating to the final Ordinary General Meeting.
Catalogue Listing:
The catalogue is on the Archives Hub (opens in new tab/window)
SGM – Stockport Great Moor Co-operative Society
As early as 1831 a group of men in Stockport were working together in a co-operative enterprise. They had grouped together to buy items in bulk, such as meat, flour, butter, treacle and sugar, and then divided the items out amongst themselves. Two groups like this developed. One of the groups became so large that they began renting the front room of a cottage on Buxton Road to use as a shop. Shortly afterwards in 1844, the other group joined up with them. The group was then named Stockport Great Moor Co-operative.
This collection consists of early records of the Stockport Great Moor Co-operative Society. The records include Managing Committee minute books, general purposes minute books, receipts, stock lists, account books and rule books.
Catalogue Listing:
The catalogue is on the Archives Hub (opens in new tab/window)
Society Histories
Co-operative societies have often celebrated events such as the opening of new premises and anniversaries by publishing histories. These vary from brief pamphlets to detailed histories that include photographs of the societies’ premises, staff and committees.
Some of the histories give lists of the society’s chief officers, presidents and directors that can be useful for family historians. Details of the commissioning of branch stores, libraries, dairies, halls and even Turkish baths can help those studying local history and particular subjects. National and local events are often discussed in society histories, for example, in mining areas societies were involved in support for families affected by pit disasters and many societies held celebrations for royal jubilees.
The Archive has a broad definition of ‘histories of societies’ the collection includes any material that provides information on a co-operative society. There are, among other items, books, pamphlets, periodicals, publicity leaflets, share books, newspaper reports and the brief descriptions published in the Congress Handbooks of societies in the area where Congress took place.
A listing of Society Histories held by the Archive is available to browse.
SICS – Stalybridge Industrial Co-operative Society
The Stalybridge Industrial Co-operative Society Ltd was formed on 7th March 1859 by 11 men and opened its first shop on 11 November 1859 in Water Street. This collection consists of records relating to the purchase of property, by the Society, on Cheetham Hill Road, Dukinfield. The records include valuations of property, reports on valuations and correspondence.
The catalogue is on the Archives Hub (opens in new tab/ window)
FIS – Failsworth Industrial Society
The Failsworth Industrial Society was formed in 1859 with 14 members and opened its first shop in Dob Lane on 28th March 1859. In 1977 Failsworth Society became part of Norwest Co-operative Society. This collection consists of records relating to the properties acquired by the Failsworth Co-operative Society Ltd. The records include wills, abstract of the title documents, statutory declarations, replies to requisitions on title documents, schedules, property plans and correspondence.
The catalogue is on the Archives Hub (opens in new tab/ window)
Top
LBC- Lothian and Borders Co-operative Society
The Lothian and Borders Co-operative Society (LBC) was formed in 1992 following the amalgamation of two Regional Societies: Border Regional and East Lothian. These themselves had come together through the merger of several smaller societies. In July 1998 a merger was proposed between LBC and East Angus Co-operative Society which took place on the 14 September 1998. This society became the Lothian, Borders, and Angus Co-operative Society which in 2008 became part of the Co-operative Group.
The collection consists of reports and balance sheets, minutes and rule books, members records, correspondence and photographs. The societies covered in the collection include Annan and District, Arbroath, Carronbridge, Creetown and District, Dumfries, Dumfries and Maxwelltown, Dunbar and Westbarns, East Lothian, Galashiels, Haddington, Hawick, Innerleithen, Jedburgh, Lothian and Borders, Peebles, Queen of the South, Selkirk, Tranent and Haddington, Tranent and Westbarns.
The catalogue is on the Archives Hub (opens in new tab/window)
LPS- Leicester Co-operative Printing Society
The Leicester Co-operative Printing Society was formed on 23 July 1892 following a meeting of a Joint Committee made up of representative from the Leicester Co-operative Society and from the Trade Union Council. They decided to formulate a scheme for starting a co-operative printing society.
The Society grew rapidly and in 1901 a purpose built property was erected at 99 Church Gate. The business included letter printing, lithographic printing, bookbinding, packing, a stereotyping foundry and a composing room and box making.
The collection consists of financial records, legal agreements, property and premises records and photographs.
The catalogue is on the Archives Hub (opens new tab/window)
Our Heritage - News & Events