Selection of Co-operative Histories

On this page you will find a history of Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society and a selection of co-operative histories.
 Star Co-op (Master)
Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society
The Society was formed in 1867 by iron foundry workers employed by Coleman and Morton in their factory in London Road. In 1969 the Braintree Co-operative Society, which was formed in 1864 by silk weavers, joined Chelmsford Star.

Since the Trades Council was formed in 1899 several of its delegates have served on the Society’s Board of Management. One of these, H.P. Baker, (Operative Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Union) was Secretary of the Trades Council in 1903 and was a Director of the Society from 1903-1939. George Briggs, (Railway Clerks’ Association) was Secretary of the Trades Council from 1937-1939 and a Director from 1931-1952. In 1945, A.E. Hodge, a former miners’ union official, member of the Co-operative Party and Chelmsford Star’s Board of Management from 1939-1955, was elected as the first Labour Mayor of Chelmsford.

Bill Wright, who was the Trades Council Chairman from 1988-1990 and its President from 1999-2001, served on the Board of Directors. Malcolm Wallace, a former Secretary of Chelmsford TUC was a Director of the Society for nine years.

coop“Chelmford Star – A Co-operative History” was published in 1999 by the Society’s Education Committee. Its 148 pages, which includes thirty-three photos, are packed with information on the development of the Society and many other Essex co-operatives.

The following are some of the key dates of establishment within the Society and the co-operative movement.

    • 1831 The first Owenite Co-operative Congress.
    • 1844 Rochdale Equitable Pioneers’ Co-operative Society.
    • 1846 Factory workers at Halstead form a co-operative to sell cheese, coffee and tobacco but it did not survive.
    • 1847 Chelmsford Co-operative Coal Society.
    • 1852 First Industrial and Provident Societies Act.
    • 1860 Halstead Co-operative Society.
    • 1861 Stratford Co-operative and Industrial Society. Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society.
    • 1862 Coggeshall and North Essex Co-operative Society.
    • 1863 Co-operative Wholesale Society Ltd.
    • 1864 Braintree and West Essex Co-operative Society.
    • 1866 Grays Co-operative Society.
    • 1867 Chelmsford Star Industrial Co-operative Society Ltd opens its first shop in Tindal Street; a few months later the Society is so successful that it moves to 48 High Street. Co-operative Insurance Society.
    • 1868 Chelmsford Star now has a membership of 275 and annual sales of £4,316.
    • 1869 First Co-operative Congress.
    • 1871 Co-operative News.
    • 1872 CWS establishes a Loan and Deposit Department: it becomes a bank in 1876.
    • 1873 Maldon and Heybridge Co-operative Society.
    • 1875 Leytonstone Road Co-operative Society. Harwich and Dovercourt Co-operative Society.
    • 1876 Terling Co-operative Society.
    • 1881 Thomas Hughes QC opens Chelmsford Star’s Central Store in Moulsham Street.
    • 1883 Co-operative Permanent Building Society. Beckton Co-operative Society. Co-operative Women’s Guild.
    • 1886 Chelmsford Star milk sales begin.
    • 1887 Witham Co-operative Society.
    • 1890 Southend Co-operative Society.
    • 1893 Sun Co-operative Society (a tea room) established in Moulsham Street. Braintree Co-operative Women’s Guild.
    • 1894 Epping Co-operative Society.
    • 1895 Chelmsford Star opens its first branch store in Wells Street. Brentwood Co-operative Society. International Co-operative Alliance.
    • 1896 Chelmsford Star opens an agency on behalf of the Co-operative Permanent Building Society.
    • 1899 Chelmsford Star opens a bakery in Railway Street.

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    • 1900 1,439 registered co-operatives exist in the UK. Chelmsford Star now has a membership of 2,001 and annual sales of £40,414.
    • 1901 Chelmsford Star appointed as an agent for the Co-operative Insurance Society.
    • 1902 The Society’s Central store in Moulsham Street is extended and opened by the Countess of Warwick.
    • Saffron Walden Co-operative Society.
    • 1903 A branch of the National Amalgamated Union of Shop Assistants, Warehousemen and Clerks is formed in Chelmsford. Laindon Co-operative Society. Clacton on Sea Co-operative Society.
    • 1904 A men’s outfitting department is established by Chelmsford Star.
    • 1906 Chelmsford Women’s Co-operative Guild.
    • 1910 Chelmsford Co-operative Men’s Guild.
    • 1911 A branch of the Amalgamated Union of Co-operative Employees is established in Chelmsford.
    • 1912 Chelmsford Star opens a grocer’s shop at Springfield.
    • 1914 A men’s outfitting shop is opened in Baddow Road.
    • 1915 Chelmsford Star begins to use motorised vehicles for deliveries.
    • 1917 Co-operative Party established.
    • 1918 First woman, Sarah Hickley, is elected to the Management Committee of Chelmsford Star. Chelmsford Star now has a membership of 4,338 and annual sales of £142,245.
    • 1919 Metal dividend tokens are abandoned by Chelmsford Star and the Climax system is introduced. 20 High Street is opened. The Co-operative College is established.
    • 1921 Chelmsford Star is appointed as an agent for the Co-operative Bank. A Chelmsford dairy and a branch store at Ingatestone are opened.
    • 1923 A Sick Benefit Club is launched by Chelmsford Star and Co-operative Day is established.
    • 1925 Chelmsford Star establishes a Mutuality Trading Club, an Education Committee is formed, and a grocer’s shop at Danbury is opened.
    • 1926 Wells Street butcher’s shop opened.
    • 1927 Baddow Road butcher’s and Kings Road grocer’s store opened.
    • 1928 A Co-operative Children’s Circle is formed in Chelmsford. Writtle grocer’s and butcher’s shops opened.
    • 1929 Chelmsford Star erects its first garage and slaughterhouse. Coval Lane meadow purchased.
    • 1930 Chelmsford Star sponsors a Silver Band.
    • 1934 Chelmsford Star begins to operate mobile shops.
    • 1935 Baddow Road fruit and vegetable shop, Galleywood grocer’s and 21 High Street opened.
    • 1936 Chelmsford Star inaugurates its Funeral Service and opens a butcher’s and grocer’s shop at Great Baddow.
    • 1938 Chelmsford Star opens a Travel Department and a grocer’s, hardware and tobacco shop at Broomfield.
    • 1939 Chelmsford Star now has a Central Store, nine branch stores, a restaurant, men’s outfitters, a bakery, fruit and vegetable shop, coal depot, furniture shop, dairy, garage, and eight butcher’s shops. The membership is now 13,842 and annual sales are £325,631.
    • 1941 First employee elected to Chelmsford Star’s Board of Management.
    • 1942 Chelmsford Star establishes a Youth Club. London Co-operative Society opens the first self-service grocery in the UK at South Street, Romford.
    • 1943 Chelmsford Star establishes a Co-operative Party.

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    • 1945 A.E. Hodge, a member of Chelmsford Star’s Management Committee, is elected as Mayor of Chelmsford Borough Council. Chelmsford Star purchases the Old Rodney Hotel at Little Baddow. 41 Duke Street is purchased and opened as a butcher’s. National Co-operative Chemists.
    • 1946 A grocer’s at 50 Writtle Road and the Writtle Green baker’s shops are opened.
    • 1947 Chelmsford Star opens a grocer’s at Boreham.
    • 1949 Essex Ice Cream Co-operative Society.
    • 1950 Essex Boot and Shoe Co-operative Society.
    • 1951 156 Moulsham Street opened as a fruit and vegetable shop.
    • 1952 Chelmsford Star transfers its dairy and garage to Coval Lane. 348/350 Baddow Road opened as a fruit/vegetable and grocer’s shop.
    • 1953 Eastern Counties Federal Bakeries established.
    • 1954 60 Trent Road opened as a bread and confectioney shop. Chelmsford Star achieves sales of over £1 million for the first time and has a membership of 19,089.
    • ((1955 Chelmsford Star opens its first Self Service shop at Writtle Road/Waterhouse Lane.
    • 1956 Beehive Lane grocer’s opened. A Chelmsford Room established at the Co-operative College, Stanford Hall.
    • 1958 A Co-operative Commission, under its Chairman, Hugh Gaitskell, leader of the Labour Party, presents its report which recommends that there should be a reduction in the number of retail societies from 1,031 to 200-300. However, most ignore the report and amalgamations eventually take place as a result of financial necessity.
    • 1959 Chelmsford Star is given approval to operate an off-license. Shoefayre established.
    • 1960 Chelmsford Star establishes a Sports and Social Club.
    • 1961 Moulsham Lodge grocer’s and 74 Trent Road grocer’s opened.
    • 1969 Braintree Co-operative Society transfers its engagements to Chelmsford Star.
    • 1971 Chelmsford Star introduces trading stamps. Industrial Common Ownership Movement.
    • 1972 Barnard Road self-service store opened.
    • 1973 London Road extension opened.
    • 1978 National Co-operative Development Agency.
    • 1983 Chelmsford Star joins the East Anglia Federal Co-operative Society.
    • 1985 Chelmsford Star awarded first prize for the Co-operative Union’s Accountancy Award.
    • 1986 Wickford Food Centre and Roxwell Road Service Centre opened by Chelmsford Star.
    • 1987 39 High Street, Billericay opened.
    • 1989 Chelmsford Star is awarded first prize for the CWS ’Caring in the Community’ competition.
    • 1991 Braintree Quadrant opened by Chelmsford Star. United Kingdom Co-operative Council.
    • 1992 Duke Street Foodcentre opened.
    • 1993 17 Bridge Street, Writtle, 3-5 Spread Eagle Place, Ingatestone, 14-16 Torquay Road, and 115-117 ferry Road, Hullbridge Foodcentres opened.
    • 1994 Chelmsford Star receives first prize for Chelmsford Borough Council’s Civic Award for Services to the Community.
    • Co-operative factories sold. Co-operative Retail Trading Group established.
    • 1995 Chelmsford Starcard launched – the first of its kind. Chelmsford Star now has a membership of 38,867 and annual sales of £34,234,140.
    • 1996 Chelmsford Star joins the Co-operative Retail Trading Group.
    • 1997 Challis Lane “Altogether Fresher” is opened and sets the standard for the future.
    • 1998 Chelmsford Star launches its Community Card – another first!

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  • 2000 Chelmsford Star opens an “Altogether Fresher” on Canvey Island.
  • 2001 The Co-operative Commission, established with the support of the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, publishes its report on the future of the Co-operative Movement; Chairman of the Commission was John Monks, General Secretary of the TUC.
  • 2005 The members of Colchester Society and the Ipswich and Norwich Society agree to form the East of England Co-operative Society.
  • 2017 At the 2017 AGM the Society began to celebrate its 150th anniversary. It has c-star-logo-4col-2016come a long way since 1867 with gross takings for the previous year amounting to £103,584,570 – its net profit being £1,380,252. The Society has 82,414 members, 42 food shops, two departmental stores (Braintree and Chelmsford) plus funeral and travel outlets.

 

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A selection of Co-operative Society Histories.
The published histories shown below are available either at the Co-operative College or the Bishopsgate Institute, London.
  • Abergavenny and District Co-operative Society, You Inherit! Golden Jubilee Anniversary, P. Wall, (1960).
  • Accrington and Church Industrial Co-operative Society, 1860-1910, (1910).
  • Addlestone and District Co-operative Society 1902-1952, L.W. Gray, (1952).
  • Airedale Co-operative Society, 1864-1964, (1964).
  • Allerton Industrial Co-operative Society, 1867-1917, (1918).
  • Alloa Co-operative Society, A Historical Survey on the Occasion of the Society’s Jubilee, (1912).
  • Alva Co-operative Bazaar Society, (1948).
  • Ammonford Co-operative Society, 1900-1950, (1950).
  • Annfield Plain Co-operative Society, 1870-1920, (1921).
  • Ashton-under-Lyne Working Men’s Co-operative Society, 1857-1907, (1907).
  • Banbury Co-operative Society, 1866-1916, W.H. Lickorish, (1916).
  • Barnsley British Co-operative Society, 1862-1962, (1962).
  • Barnsley British Co-operative Society, 1862-1902, (1903).
  • Barnsley British Co-operative Society, 1950-1970, An Assessment of its Decline, Dissertation – F.J. Doyle, (1976).
  • Barrhead Co-operative Society, 1861-1911, R. Murray, (1911).
  • Barrhead Co-operative Society, 1911-1936, R. Murray, (1936).
  • Barrhead Co-operative Society, 1937-1961, J. McWhinter, (1961).
  • Barwell and District Co-operative Society 1871-1921, A Short History, (1921).
  • Bath Co-operative Society, Jubilee History, W.H. Brown, (1939).
  • Bath – A Century of Co-operation in Bath, Ingrid Sofrin, (1991).
  • Bath, Centenary of Co-operation in Bath, Thesis- J. Varney, (1963).
  • Batley Co-operative Society, 1867-1917, W.H. Childe, (1919).
  • Bedlington Equitable Industrial Co-operative Society, 1861-1911, (1911).
  • Berkhampstead and Hemel Hempstead Co-operative Society, 1883-1953, (1953).
  • Beswick Co-operative Society, 1892-1907, A.E. Worswick, (1907).
  • Bingley Industrial Co-operative Society – Fifty years of Co-operation, (1900).
  • Birmingham Co-operative Society – Early Co-operation in Birmingham District, E.W. Hampton, (1928).
  • Birmingham Co-operative Society – Fifty Years of Progress: The Story of the B.C.S. (1931).
  • Birmingham Co-operative Society, 1881-1931, Fifty Years of Progress. T. Smith, Editor, (1931).
  • Birmingham Co-operative Society, 1881-1951, Seventy Years of Service, T. Smith, (1951).
  • Bishop Auckland Industrial Co-operative Flour and Provision Society, 1860-1910, T. Readshaw, (1910).
  • Bishop Auckland Co-operative Society – Into the Second Century, 1860-1960, (1960).
  • Blairgowrie and District Co-operative Society, B.G. Cairns, (1967).
  • Blaenavon – A Century of Co-operative Service, 1889-1989, K.J. Evans, Editor, (1989).
  • Blaengarw – A Century of Co-operative Service, 1890-1990, K.J. Evans, Editor, (1990).
  • Blaydon and District Industrial and Provident Society, 1858-1958, (1958).
  • Bletchley and District Co-operative Society, 1884-1934, (1934).
  • Bolton – History of the Great and Little Bolton Co-operative Society, 1859-1909, F.W. Peables, (1909).
  • Bradford, City of Bradford Co-operative Society, 1860-1910, (J. Bennett and J. Baldwin. (1911).
  • Braintree and West Essex Co-operative Society 1864-1914, An Historical Sketch, (1914).
  • Braintree and West Essex Co-operative Society, 1864-1914, B.S. Wood, (1914).
  • Braintree Co-operative Society – The Second Fifty Years E.E. Amos, (1964).
  • Bridge End Co-operative Society, 1847-1901, F. Pickles, (1902).
  • Brighton Equitable Co-operative Society, 1888-1909, (1909).
  • Brighton Equitable Co-operative Society, 1828-1938, W.H. Brown, (1938).
  • Brighton Co-operative Society – The people’s Business, Sir W. Richardson, (1986).
  • Bristol Industrial Co-operative Society – A Study in Democracy, E. Jackson (1911).
  • Broxburn Co-operative Society, 1879-1929, (1929).
  • Buckfastleigh Co-operative Society, J.R. Dyer, 1869-1919, (1919).
  • Burton-on-Trent Co-operative Society – The First Twelve Months, Dissertation F.G. Deller, (1976).
  • Bury – The Origin and History of Co-operation in Bury, 1855-1905, T. Rigby, (1905).
  • Cairncross and District Co-operative and Industrial Society, 1863-1913, (1913).
  • Cambridge and District Co-operative Society, 1868-1919, W.H. Brown (1920).
  • Cambridge – Co-operation in a University Town: With the 70 years record of the Cambridge of the Cambridge and District Co-operative Society, W.H. Brown, (1939).
  • Chelmsford Star – A Co-operative History, Malcolm Wallace, (1999).
  • Chelmsford Star Co-operative Industrial Society, 1867-1967, (1967).
  • Clifton Co-operation Industrial Society, 1855-1908, (1908).
  • Clydebank Co-operative Society, W.E. Lawson, (1948).
  • Clynderwen – A Brief Summary of the Clynderwen and District Farmers’ Association, J.L. Morris, (1980).
  • Coalville, History of Coalville Working Men’s Co-operative Society, A. Lockwood and C.W. Brown, (1932).
  • Colchester Co-operative Society, A Brief History of its Origin and Development, G. Phillips, (1886).
  • Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society, 100 Up, (1961).
  • Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society, H.W. Lewington (1977).
  • Compstall Co-operative Industrial Society, 1851-1901, (1901).
  • Congleton Equitable and Industrial Co-operative Society, 1860-1910, A. Cooke and J. Cooke, (1910).
  • Co-operative Retail Services – 60 Years in Retailing, 1934-1994, (1994).
  • Co-operative Retail Services – History and Constitution (1979).
  • Coventry Co-operative Society, 1867-1917, (1917).
  • Coventry and District Co-operative Society, 1867-1967, (1967).
  • Cramlington and District Co-operative Society, 1861-1911, W. Simpson, (1911).
  • Crewe Co-operative Friendly Society, R. Whittle, (1876).
  • Crewe Co-operative Friendly Society, 1845-1929, G.D. Lucas, (1929).
  • Crook and Neighborhood Co-operative Corn Mill, Flour and Provision Society, E. Lloyd, 1865-1915, (1916).
  • Crook Co-operative Society, 1885-1915, E. Lloyd, (1915).
  • Cwmbach Industrial Co-operative Society, E. Jones, (1900).
  • Darlington Co-operative Society, 1868-1968, (1968).
  • Darwen Industrial Co-operative Society, 1860-1910, (1910).
  • Derby City Provident Co-operative Society, 1850-1900, G.J. Holyoake and A. Scotton, (1900).
  • Derby City Provident Co-operative Society, 1850-1925, W.L. Unsworth, (1927).
  • Derby – 100 Years of Co-operation in Derby, D. Boydell, (1950).
  • Desborough Industrial Provident Society, 1863-1913, (1913).
  • Dunfermline Co-operative Society, 1861-1961, (1962).
  • Eastleigh Co-operative Society, 1892-1948, W.H. Brown (1949).
  • Eccles Provident Industrial Society, 1857-1907, J. Haslam, (1907).
  • Enfield Highway Co-operative Society, Co-operation in Enfield and its Environs, H.C. Smith, (1932).
  • Failsworth Industrial Society, 1859-1909, (1909).
  • Gloucester Co-operative and Industrial Society, 1860-1910, F. Purnell and H.W. William, (1910).
  • Goole Co-operative Society, 1883-1904, (1904).
  • Grays Co-operative Industrial and Provident Society, (1895).
  • Grays Co-operative Society 1867-1957, T.A.S. Henshall, (1957).
  • Great Horton Industrial Society, 1859-1909, H. Hodgson, (1909).
  • Greenfield Co-operative Society, 1856-1906, Village Co-operation, (1906).
  • Greenfield Co-operative Society, 1856-1956, One Hundred Years of Village Co-operation, W.G. Hobson, (1956).
  • Greenock Central Co-operative Society, Jubilee History, (1910).
  • Halifax Industrial Co-operative Society, 1851-1901, D. Lawston and M. Blatchford, (1906).
  • Halstead Co-operative Society – The Great Adventure, A.E. Hodgkinson JP, (1960).
  • Haslingden Industrial Co-operative Society, R. Boyson, (1952).
  • Hawick Co-operative Store Company, 1839-1889, (1889).
  • Hazel Grove Industrial and Equitable Society 1869-1910 – An Historical Sketch.
  • Hepworth Industrial Society, Hepworth’s Hundred Years of Co-operative Adventure, W.H. Brown, (1946).
  • Heywood Co-operative Society, 1850-1950, W.H. Brown, (1950).
  • Hinckley and District Industrial Co-operative Society, 1861-1911, (1911).
  • Hucknall Co-operative Society, 1864-1964 – A century of Progress, (1964).
  • Huddersfield Industrial Co-operative Society, 1860-1910, O. Balmforth, (1910).
  • Hull – History of Co-operative Development, S. Marshall, (1951).
  • Hull – One Hundred Years of Co-operation in Hull, J.E. Smith, (1990).
  • Hyde Equitable Co-operative Society, 1862-1912, T. James and J. Rhodes, (1912).
  • Ipswich Industrial Co-operative Society, 1868-1968, A Century of Service, (1968).
  • Irthlingborough Industrial and Provisional Co-operative Society, 1885-1935, K. Noble, (1935).
  • Keighley Industrial Co-operative society, 1860-1910, J. Rhodes (1911).
  • Kettering Co-operative Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Society, 1888-1909, W.H. Brown, (1909).
  • Kettering “Union” Boot and Shoe Productivity Society, 1896-1917, G. Stanton, (1918).
  • Kettering Industrial Co-operative Society, 100 Years of Progress, 1866-1966, (1966).
  • Kettering Industrial Co-operative Society, Achievement, 1866-1926, S. York, (1926).
  • Kilmarnock Equitable Co-operative Society, 1860-1910. J. Deans, Editor, (1910).
  • Kinning Park, Jubilee History, P.J. Dollan, (1923).
  • Kirkby-in-Ashfield Industrial Co-operative Society, G.J. Duke and J.G. Shacklock, (1900).
  • Leadgate Industrial and Provident Co-operative Society, 1870-1920, J. Smith, (1921).
  • Leeds Industrial Co-operative Society, 1847-1897, G. T. Holyoake, (1897).
  • Leeds Industrial Co-operative Society, Political Development, Dissertation G. Parkin,(1977).
  • Leicester – A History of Equity Shoes, S.W. Pepper, (1986).
  • Leicester Co-operative Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Society, Equity: A Triumph, E.O. Greening.
  • Leicester Co-operative Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Society, Its History, E.O. Greening, (1923).
  • Leicester Co-operative Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Society, Its History, J.H. Plumb, (1937).
  • Leicester Co-operative Hosiery Manufacturing Society, T. Blandford and G. Newell, (1898).
  • Leicester Co-operative Society, (1898).
  • Leigh Friendly Co-operative Society, 1857-1907, T. Boydell, (1907).
  • Lennoxtown Friendly Victualling Society, 1812-1912, J.A. Flanagan, (1912).
  • Letchworth Co-operative Society – Sixty Years of Endevour, 1904-1964, (1964).
  • Lincoln Co-operative Society – A Century of Achievement, F. Brockshaw and D. McNab (1961).
  • Lincoln Co-operative Society, 1861-1911, D. McInness, (1911).
  • Liverpool Co-operative Society – Co-operative Century, 1844-1944, L. du Garde Peed, (1944).
  • Liverpool Co-operative Society, The Story of, W. H. Brown, (1929).
  • London Co-operative Society, W.H. Brown, (1928).
  • Long Eaton and District Co-operative Society – A Centenary History, 1868-1968, G. Kingscott, (1968).
  • Long Eaton Co-operative Workingmens’s Co-operative Society, S. Clegg (1901).
  • Long Eaton and District Co-operative Society – Through Six Decades, 1868-1968, G.R. Lane and Long Eaton Co-operative Society R. Bowley, (1968).
  • Luton Industrial Co-operative Society, 1883-1933, C.S. Emerton, (1933).
  • Luton Industrial Co-operative Society, 1883-1958, (1958).
  • Mansfield, Sutton and District Co-operative Society, – Mansfield’s Co-operative Advance 1864-1950, W.H. Brown, (1950).
  • Meltham – History of Meltham Industrial Co-operative Trading Society, 1861-1911, A. Haigh, (1911).
  • Middlesborough Co-operative Society, 1867-1967, (1967).
  • Middleton and Tonge Industrial Society, 1850-1900, S. Partington, (1900).
  • Nelson Co-operative Industrial Society, 1860-1910 G. W. Hamilton, (1910).
  • Nenthead Co-operative Society, 1868-1919, (1988).
  • New Delaval Co-operative Society, 1862-1912, D. Gledson, (1913).
  • New Biggin District Industrial and Provident Society, 1863-1913.
  • Newmarket Co-operative Society, 1899-1949, W.H. Brown, (1949).
  • Newtonshaw Co-operative Society, 1865-1915, (1915).
  • Newtown Co-operative Society, 1876-1926, (1926).
  • North Angus Co-operative Society, R.L. Marshall, (1983).
  • Northampton Co-operative Society, 1870-1945, W.B. Wright, (1945).
  • Nottingham Co-operative Society, 1863-1913, W.J. Douse, (1913).
  • Nottingham Co-operative Society, 1863-1944, F.W. Leeman, (1944).
  • Oldham Industrial Co-operative Society, 1850-1900, J.C. Taylor, (1900).
  • Oxford and District Co-operative Society, 1872-1947, D. Barnie, (1947).
  • Oxford and Swindon Co-operative Society, 1872-1972. A. Ledger, (1972).
  • Paisley Co-operative Manufacturing Society, 1862-1912, (1912).
  • Paisley Provident Co-operative Society, 1860-1910, D. Rowat, (1910).
  • Perth, City of Perth Co-operative Society, 1871-1980, (1980).
  • Pittington Amicable Industrial Co-operative Society, 1874-1924, A.B. Ross, (1924).
  • Plymouth Co-operative Society, 1860-1960, R. Briscoe, (1960).
  • Plymouth and South West Co-operative Society
  • Portobello Co-operative Society, 1864-1934, (1934).
  • Portsea Island Mutual Co-operative Society, Mary Short, Editor, (1998).
  • Prestwich Co-operative Society, 1861-1961, T.C. Berry, (1961).
  • Radcliffe and Pilkington District Co-operative and Industrial Society, 1860-1910, S. Knight and A. Farrington, (1910).
  • Radstock Co-operative Society, 1868-1993, G. Donkin, (1993).
  • Reading Industrial Co-operative Society, 1860-1965, V. Ryan, (1965).
  • Ripley Provident Industrial and Co-operative Society, 1860-1910, W.R.A. Pitcher and H.N Bridge, (1910).
  • Ripponden Co-operative Society, 1832-1932, H. Priestley, (1932).
  • Royal Arsenal, 1868-1918, W.T. Davis, (1921).
  • Royal Arsenal, Origins and Progress, A. McLeod and T.G. Arnold, (1896).
  • Royal Arsenal, An Arsenal for London, R. Rhodes, (1999).
  • Rugby Industrial and Provident Co-operative Society, 1862-1897, (1897).
  • Runcorn and Widnes Industrial Co-operative Society, 1862-1912, W. Millington, (1912).
  • Runcorn and Widnes Co-operative Society – 1862-1962 Centenary Booklet, T.D. Gibbs and A. Cooper, (1962).
  • Scunthorpe Mutual Co-operative and Industrial Society, 1874-1924, A. Ginns, (1924).
  • Scunthorpe Co-operative Society, 1874-1954, Thesis, A. Marson, (1954).
  • Sheerness Economical Co-operative Society, 1816-1916, W.H. Brown, (1916).
  • Sheerness Economical Co-operative Society, Jubilee, W.G. Tutt, (1900).
  • Sheffield and Ecclesall Co-operative Society, 1874-1913, W. Rose, (1913).
  • Shepshed and Hathern Co-operative Society, 1865-1965, (1965).
  • Skelmanthorpe Industrial and Co-operative Provident Society, 1834-1934, (1934).
  • Slough and District Co-operative Society – The Co-operative Advance, 1892-1942, W.H. Brown, (1942).
  • Southampton Co-operative Society, Forty Years with the Co-op, H. Laws, (1948).
  • Sowerby Bridge Industrial Society, 1860-1910, W.H. Baxendale, (1910).
  • St. Cuthbert’s Co-operative Association, 1859-1909, W. Maxwell, (1909).
  • St. Cuthbert’s Co-operative Association, 1859-1959, (1959).
  • Stafford and Stone Co-operative Society, 1860-1960, J. Macaskill, (1960).
  • Stalybridge Good Intent Industrial Co-operative Society, 1859-1909, J.H. Hinchliffe, (1909).
  • Stirling Co-operative Society, 1880-1930, R. Murray, (1930).
  • Stockport Great Moor Co-operative Society, 1831-1931, T.W. Gough, (1931).
  • Stocksbridge Band of Hope Industrial Co-operative Society, 1860-1910, J. Kenworthy, (1910).
  • Stratford Co-operative and Industrial Society, 1861-1911, W.H. Brown, (1911).
  • Taibach and Port Talbot Co-operative Society, 1902-1952, B.I. Jones, (1952).
  • Tamworth Industrial Co-operative Society, 1886-1907, J.S. Harding, (1910).
  • Ten Acres and Stirchley Co-operative Society – 75 Years of Endevour, H.M. Vickrage, (1950).
  • Thetford Co-operative Society, 1861-1934, (1934).
  • Thetford Industrial Co-operative Society, (1861).
  • Thornton Co-operative Society, 1909-1930, A. Mitchell, (1930).
  • Trowbridge Co-operative Industrial and Provident Society 1861-1911, J. Wareham, (1911).
  • Upperby Co-operative Society, Rev. Canon Lonsdale, (1904).
  • Vale of Levan Co-operative Society, 1862-1912, T.B. Stirling, (1915).
  • Walsall and District Co-operative Society, 1886-1936, From Acorn to Oak, F. Hall, (1936).
  • Walsall and District Co-operative Society, 1936-1961, From Acorn to Oak, G.A. Taylor, (1961).
  • Warrington Co-operative Society 1860-1960, C. Leath, (1960).
  • Watford Co-operative Society, 1895-1945, The Golden Years, H. Afford, (1945).
  • West Stanley Co-operative Society, 1876-1926, J.W. Whie and R. Simpson, (1926).
  • Wigan and District Equitable Co-operative Society, Jubilee History, W.H. Brown.
  • Winchester Co-operative Society, 1900-1950, W.H. Brown, (1950).
  • Windy Nook Village and its Co-operative Store, (1924).
  • Wishaw Co-operative Society, 1889-1939. G. Battison, (1939).
  • Wollaston Industrial and Provident Society, 1876-1926, I. Wakelin, (1926).
  • Worcester New Co-operative and Industrial Society – Origins and Progress, C.A.W. Saxton (1902).
  • Worcester Co-operative Society – Origins and Progress 1881-1931, C.A.W. Saxton, (1931).
  • Worcester Co-operative Society – Seventy Five Years of Co-operative Progress, P. Topham (1956).
  • York Equitable Industrial Society – Jubilee History, G. Briggs, (1909).

Many of the above histories can be seen at the Co-operative College or the Bishopsgate Institute, London.

If you are aware of other titles that can be added to this list, please contact our Secretary.

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