Bristol's First Co-operative Society
- GVHeritage Groups
- Dec 14, 2024
- 1 min read
by the West Street Heritage Group for Futures Past
This was started at 88 West Street by ironworkers and miners from the nearby South Liberty pit. A public meeting was held in the British Schoolroom, a provisional committee was formed, and the Bedminster Industrial Co-operative Society was launched.
On 24 July 1882, the first purchase of goods was made. As there was no local branch of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, an order was placed with Bristol wholesale grocer.
The first quarter’s report stated that ‘a large number of shares have been taken up during the last month’. The fortunes of the store waxed and waned over the next few years. The book ‘Industrial Co-operation in Bristol’ notes that “the chief qualification many of their managers possessed was the ability to take advantage of the Committee’s lack of practical knowledge. Some were intemperate, others dishonest, and most of them obstinate and defiant”. Eventually - and perhaps sadly - in 1886 the shop moved to larger and better run premises on East Street.
