The Co-op

by Simon Wilkinson

The Writing Box, at 23 Old Street, are to be congratulated on keeping the sign which they found over their new shop.

The Worcester Co-operative Society was founded in March 1881. In June 1901, after pressure from their existing members in Upton, the committee was persuaded to open the Society's fifth branch: it was on the west side of Old Street and was in premises which were leased for three years. Members increased: in one month over sixty joined from Upton. In the first year's trading there was a turnover of £1,480 at the Upton branch with £132 being returned to members as dividends.

As the lease was short it was decided to purchase a shop, and, in January 1904, £250 was spent in buying what is now 23, Old Street. Mr Fowler of Church Street, constructed the new shop front, lowered the floor, provided the fixtures and repaired the roof for £73. In June 1904 the new shop was opened with a flourish. The steamer The Duchess of York was hired for £6.6s.Od. to bring the visitors from Worcester, the band played and Mr Roy; a long serving member of the Committee who performed the opening ceremony, was presented with a silver gilt key.

The outside of the shop was redecorated in 1906 by G. H. Price for the sum of £3.9s.Od., and in 1909 he also repainted the sign for £1.7s.6d.* This coincided with the arrival of a new manager, Mr Knight, who was to be paid £1.10s.Od. per week. There had been constant complaints of "leakage" of stock whilst his predecessor had been in post: these ceased and Mr Knight remained manager for many years. In 1910 land in Minge Lane was purchased and stables, shed, coalyard, bakery and a house for the manager were erected there (8 Minge Lane). Mr White was paid £409.11s.6d. for this work.

Extensive internal alterations were made to the shop premises in 1916, but, by 1925, Upton members were asking the Committee for a better home for the grocery department. It was decided to bring all departments together at The Upton Bon Marche which the Society had purchased in 1923 as a going concern which was trading in drapery and clothing to which boots and shoes had been added. In October 1926 the combined, and extended, store was opened, the name The Upton Bon Marche was soon dropped, the current Co-op came into existence and the old shop was sold after thoughts of turning it into a chemists had been rejected.

* Probably the sign which is once again to be seen

This article first appeared in the Upton News. Thanks to Betty Williams for allowing it to be reproduced.