Co-op - Hove Road Stores

Rushden Echo, September 14th 1923 New Branch The Rushden Co-operative Society has purchased a plot of land in Hove-road, off Trafford-road, at the back of the Newton-road Council schools (facing the road to the football ground), to erect new branch premises.

NEW STORES OPENED AT RUSHDEN

CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY’S GREAT PROGRESS THEN AND NOW

  The Chairman briefly opened the proceedings.

  Mr. W. H. Marriott (grocery manager) said that the building cost less than £900, and Mr. Arthur Clarke had been appointed to manage the store.  Mr. Marriott promised a very good service to the members, and said that he would be pleased to get in anything which the members required, if they had not got it in stock already.

  Mr. Coles, to show the progress of the Rushden Co-operative Society, said that in 1916 the membership was 2,461, and to-day it was 3,300.  The trade in 1910 was £73,217, but in 1923 the grocery alone exceeded that, being £77,004.  The whole trade combined was £130,000, representing £37 per member per year.  The capital in 1916 was £37,212, and at the present time it was £100,000 averaging £30 per member, and all

WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE’S MONEY.

  They had depreciated the stock from £52,972 to £34,472, which was a splendid reserve.  In addition, the society had £3,000 liquid capital.  The present dividend of 1s.  10d. in the £ could be 2s. if members would continue their support.  (Applause.)

  Mr. Coles officially unlocked the doors of the new premises and admitted the company, a presentation being given to the first purchasers, after which an adjournment was made to the Co-operative Hall, where tea was served, four large tables being fully occupied.  Mr. Coles presided over the company.  Following the tea the Co-operative Society’s Children’s Choir, ably conducted by Mr. F. Ingram, sang the prize test-piece “Melody of June” and other items.

  The Chairman, on behalf of the committee, presented a cigar-case and a box of cigars to Mr. W. Clark, on his retirement after 21 years’ service on the committee.

  Mr. Clark responded, saying he had been a member for 40 years, and his 21 years with the committee had been very pleasurable.

  Mr. H. Clayson, Wellingborough, of the Co-operative Sectional Board, thanked the committee for their hospitality to the visitors, and congratulated the Co-operative Society on the new branch.  He said that Co-operators had tackled the problem of distribution and were now proving ability along productive lines.  Co-operation was “peaceful revolution.”  He regarded Rushden as

A PROGRESSIVE TOWN

   Mr. E. Morris, of the C.W.S. Audit Department, and formerly of the Rushden office staff, seconded, and expressed his congratulations to the society, and also to Mr. Preston and Mr. R. Marriot (builder)

  Mr. J. Marlow supported, and commended the society on forming the young people’s choir.

  Mr. T. E. Wigginton responded, and said, in spite of the slump period which had hit private traders and Co-operative Societies,  the Rushden Co-operative Society’s dividend had never fallen below 1s.  3d., and never had they “appreciated” property as was the tendency with private concerns during the rising prices of war-time.  That building (the High-street premises) had been opened 21 years ago, and was built with borrowed money because capital did not come in fast enough, in spite of the appeals.  To-day capital was brought in in large sums.  That week alone £400 had been paid in.  The land and buildings of the High-street premises cost £5,000, and to-day in the balance sheet they stood at £1,200, having been written down.  Mr. Wigginton paid a tribute to the Wellingborough and Kettering Societies.

  Mr. Preston said it always gave him great pleasure to work for the Co-operative Society.

  Mr. R. Marriott thanked them for the kind remarks they had made of the contractor.  He had an excellent lot of workmen, and the heads of the firm and the employees worked together very amicably.  He did not think there was much “ca’ canny” attitude at the present – at least, there was not amongst his workmen.  He thought that if one workman started it, the rest of them would turn him out, and he (Mr. Marriott) would not have to do so.  He believed that the Trade Unions adopted a similar policy against “ca’ canny” attitude.  (Hear, hear.)

click here to return to the Co-op main page

Transcribed by Gill Hollis