Coventry Co-operative Societies

Report that the council wants to block the student accommodation plans

Strange article. The company who bought the Co-op say it isn't them making 'enquiries' about a 12 storey block.

I know the wage for a guy to start in the Co-op dairies in 1950 was around 34 shillings a week, I think the divi was 9d but did the Co-op assistants get cigarette benefits when they ran short? Housewives depended on their benefits and most had to scrape and save every penny each week to make ends meet. But hey, they could go home and listen to The Palm Court Orchestra to soothe their worries, or Wilfred Pickles.

Just found some photos I took in 2009 which I hadn't processed

Thanks for the pictures MR. I almost wrote "lovely pictures" but that would have been a mistake. There are, however a few interesting art deco features. Kaga, you are absolutely right, the wages at the Co-op were very poor. I don't think there were any official perks. In 1963, for a few short months I was a junior assistant at the grocery shop on the princely sum of £3.15s a week. I gave my mum £3 and had the 15 bob for myself. In the early sixties there was still a community feel about the area, the cop shop was in Holmsdale Rd and every type of shop nearby, the park was safe. Happy, but skint, days.

Hi Walrus. That former Co-op is still a thriving business, now called Opus. It is actually a great place, with probably the best range of fruit and veg in Coventry. We visit whenever we are in Coventry; the last time we wanted aubergines to make a curry and they had five different types! Inside they have every imaginable ingredient for Asian cooking, and then some. All good value too, no doubt because of local competition. The old police station in Holmsdale Road is now a free car park. We usually park there when in the area. We often have lunch around there, either at the Standard for the best chicken curry in Coventry, or opposite at Nima's, a vegetarian place who do the most incredible masala dosas. Asian food is usually so much better when they are actually catering for Asians.

Apartments project

A forlorn hope!!! As part of another project I am researching the history of Coventry Co-op and I know in the past there was a book published called "A century of service". I would really like access to this book or to know where I can buy one???? Anyone any ideas on this or a general history of the Co-op. Many thanks.

Hi Keepa. I have not come across that book but there is a very good one, Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society, Jubilee History 1867-1917, published in March 1917. (I have a copy but I don't want to part with it !) There are copies of that for sale on www.abebooks.co.uk. Good luck in your search for the other one.

Thanks Anne, that was very helpful, I will follow it up!!!

Hi Keeepa, If you have no luck purchasing a copy of that "Co-operative Society, Jubilee History 1867-1917" book that Anne mentioned, let me know. I have a copy that, if I'm honest, I'm unlikely to ever read, as it's not exactly a subject I have a particular connection with!

Hey Rob, that's great news that you have a copy and I'd love to get my hands on it. I would happily buy/make a donation to charity for it and ensure that after I have used it I would donate it to the Coventry History Centre so that it would be kept safe for the future. Perhaps you could contact me and we can sort it out. Once again, many thanks. Regards.

Redevelopment work to commence - report

Moseley Ave/Barker Butts Lane

That will be the site of Andy Blair's shop, I think