The collection consists of records relating to Mr Edgar H. Topley's involvement with the Blackley Co-operative Society and the Ten Acres & Stirchley Co-operative Society. The records include:
Mr Edgar H. Topley served on the staff of Mansfield, Sutton and District Co-operative Society for fourteen years before going to Blackley Co-operative Society in 1930. He served as branch manager of Barnes Green for four years until being appointed grocery manager and buyer for the Society. From the Co-operative Union he gained certificates and the Union’s scholarship for Salesmanship. He also held certificates from the Institute of Certified Grocers. Edgar H. Topley’s business motto was described in The Wheatsheaf publication of March 1936 as being “Harmony and efficiency go hand in hand”. In 1943 he was appointed grocery manager and buyer for the Ten Acres and Stirchley Society following his success in increasing grocery trade within Blackley Society by 50 percent. Edgar H. Topley was chairman of the Co-operative Grocery Manager’s Conference that took place from 22-26 March 1963.
Sources: X64/3/2 The Wheatsheaf, March 1936; X64/3/3 The Wheatsheaf, Vol. 47, No. 561, April 1943; X64/3/5 The Co-operative Grocer, Vol. 1, No. 2, March 1963.
All open materials can be viewed by prior arrangement, Monday - Friday, 10 am - 5pm. Contact the archivist at: National Co-operative Archive, Co-operative College, Holyoake House, Hanover Street, Manchester, M60 0AS. Email: archive@co-op.ac.uk., www.archive.coop
Donated by the Topley family.
No other finding aids exist.
Description compiled by T.M., Work Placement, 05/01/2016
