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Co-op Mobile Shop

Rushden Co-op's 'Bedford' Mobile Shop in 1953, purchase price £2105.

It served Newton Road and Avenue Road and many of the North Bedfordshire villages, twice weekly.

The driver was Mr. A. Bradshaw.

The running costs for petrol and repairs were £ 2055 : 5s. compared with the upkeep of the society's horses in 1904 of £38 : 2 : 3d.
the Bedford vehicle
Bought in 1953
A moblie shop was driven around the outlying villages in the 1950s and 1960s to serve customers who found it difficult to get into Rushden.

A butchery, bakery, and dairy service was also offered.

This particularly appreciated by busy working mums and older patrons.

Tokens for milk and bread could also be purchased from the van salesman.
The mobile shop and customers
The Co-op Mobile Shop thought to be taken in Avenue Road
interior
Inside the vehicle: bakery items can be seen below the front counter,
with a fridge/freezer and tins, jars and packets on the shleves behind.
The last Co-op Bread basket.

This was saved when the last electric bread and milk floats were sold off in about 1968. Northern Dairies took over the milk rounds.

It is now at Rushden Museum.

 basket


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