Coventry Co-operative Societies

As a youngster we used the Co-op at Ivy Cottage (Wheelwright Lane). Why Ivy Cottage, no idea but that's what my Mum always called it. Was originally part of the Lockhurst Lane Co-op but later taken over by the Coventry. I remember it being four separate shops, grocers, butchers, greengrocers and chemist. Bit of a bind as a kid being dragged from shop to shop when I'd much rather be out playing with me mates. Still remember the divi number though.

i worked in the offices at corporation st between 1960 and about 1964 jeff watts

Hi Jeff, and welcome to our forum I installed some new software in the offices in Corporation Street in the late1980's - it was like going back in time - probably hadn't changed much since you were there!

Hello & welcome to our forum, Jeff, We hope you enjoy your time with us.

HI software?? SOFTWARE!!!! (smiling) when I worked there (1961-1965) all the bookkeeping from the 50 odd local branches each of which had a grocery, butchery, greengrocers, etc.was done in hand written ledgers..great big analysis books and I entered the data in the first instance in ink using a dip in pen..but the real final work was done by Hector MacDuff in exquisite copperplate handwriting which were works of art in them selves...In fact in a fit of nostaligia I went to the Coventry archives and found one of these ledgers Adding the columns was done my hand and remember this was the day of pounds shilling and pence not forgetting the farthings... be interesting to know whether they rest were saved from the skips as they would provide a fascinating insight into the extent and range of the co-op in coventry..to this day when I drive down a street I suddenly remeber a co-op shop being there I used to be driven around collecting the money from the branches and as I recall some days would have £3000 in cash in the bag..remember this was at a time when a decent semi would cost +/- £2000...wouldn't do it now!!! I keep threatening to do more work on the history..but since I have retired I dont have tie do do anything!!

Yes I think 1989 was a major step forward in their way of processing invoices

just came across your post re: co-op we must have been contemporaries I joined as a commercial apprentice in 1960 and worked upstairs in the offices..regards jeff watts

For about 3 months at end of 1961 I was a warehouseman in the Drapery Dept - entrance in Lower Precinct. Good times as several neighbour's daughters worked there too. Or, perhaps that's why I joined the army in Feb 1962

I always understood that the old Co-op Sports Club ground on the corner of the Highway and Broad Lane was held in trust for Co-op employees. I seem to remember that the donor was the Oliver family. I see now that the field is being used by Old Coventrians. I emphasise that this is my understanding and could be wrong!

Some adverts here for the "CO-OP", which I found on the back of some Coventry Tram tickets!!!

Good find! I assume the cafe was inside their Smithford Street branch as I've not seen any reference to it before.

End of the line for the grotto? http://www.propertyweek.com/news/coventry-department-store-hits-market/5073075.article?

Hi all For whatever reason, the Nuneaton Co-op always appears to be busy, unlike Coventry where it appears that they have more staff than customers. The food-hall may have been Coventry's first city centre help yourself in the fifties, but I need confirmation on that. I also wonder about the wisdom of the "Rooms" rebranding, as bit by bit, the lines that they stopped trading, crept back, except for school uniforms.

My sister worked in the Co-op Chemist in Corporation Street circa 1958.