Scunthorpe Co-operative Society

This series consists of records created by Scunthorpe Co-operative Society including balance sheets, minute books of the Education Committee and Superannuation Committee, members registers, death benefits scheme registers and photograph albums.

The idea of Co-operation was first brought to Scunthorpe by Mr Enoch Markham. He had previously helped set up Mexborough Co-operative Society and moved to Scunthorpe to work at Trent Iron Works. Cottages had been built for him and other workers of the Iron Works and he began spreading the idea of setting up a Co-operative Society among them. The first official meeting took place on 29th Apr 1874 at 1 Chapel Street, Scunthorpe. Those present were Messrs Markham, Westfield, Grantham, Kemp, Stamp, Wilkinson, Millner, Chatterton, Hill and G E Drury. The first items to be sold at the store were tea, bacon and cheese. The store was opened on 23 may 1874.

In Oct 1875 the Society moved to newly built premises at Park Street. Over the next few years the Society progressed steadily and in Sep 1888 new Central stores were opened at Winterton Road. In 1893 the Society purchased land for the erection of a branch shop at Beauchamp Street, Brumby which was opened 19 May 1894. In 1896 the Society celebrated its 'coming of age' and at this point had 866 members. In oct of 1894 a second branch store was opened at Ashby and in 1898 a third branch was opened at Allanby Street, Frodingham Road. In 1903 a new branch was opened at Frodingham Road (West End)where business was transferred from Allanby Street. In Sep 1908 the Crosby branch was opened as were 6 new houses which were sold to members. In Oct 1910 new central premises were opened at High Street. In 1917 the Society took over the Crowle branch from Goole Co-operative Society.

The Society continued to flourish throughout the twentieth century and by 1972 had 60,000 members. In 1973 the Society transferred its engagments to the Co-operative Retail Services.

Source: 'Scunthorpe Mutual Co-operative and Industrial Society Limited Jubilee History 1874-1924', by Arthur Ginns (1924).