Heckmondwike and District Co-operative Society

Papers of Heckmondwike Co-operative Society

Heckmondwike and District Co-operative Society held its first meeting on 31 December 1859 and was registered in 1860. The chair of the Board was William Archer and the secretary was James Crabtree who later became the society's president. The society opened its first shop around June 1860, its manager was James Lund of Rochdale. In 1887 its central premises were on Oak Street in Northgate. It has branches in Brighton Street, Chapel Fold, Dewsbury Moor, Gomeral, Hartshead, Healey, Hightown, Kilpin Hill, Littletown, Millbridge, Norristhorpe, Robertstown, Stancliffe, Westborough, and White Lee. It had 5,736 members and conducted trade in grocery, drapery, shoes and boots, furnishing, tailoring, coal, baking, millinery, dressmaking, and had a medical aid department.

By 1930, the society had 15 departments, 56 shops, 9,103 members and 249 employees.

By 1979 the society had 13,150 members, with premises in Northgate, Dewsbury, Liversedge, Stancliffe and Westgate. It conducted trade in grocery, butchery and cooked meats, greengrocery, fruits and fish, chemists, optical, drapery and fashion, men's wear, footwear, babywear and nursery furniture, furnishings and hardware, motors, knitting wool, painting and wallpaper, stationary and sports outfitting. It had member services in painting and decoration, TV repairs and funerals.

The society transferred its business to Yorkshire Co-operatives on 8 September 1985.

Sources: The Co-operative Union directories and the society's history "Heckmondwike and District Co-operative Society Ltd 1860-1930, a brief historical sketch"

The collection is open to any accredited reader, subject to the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018.

Some files in this collection are subject to Data Protection legislation as they contain sensitive information and material under 30 years old is closed to access. It is advised that you contact the Archivist before visiting.

Description compiled by Heather Roberts, Archive Assistant, September 2013

The National Co-operative Archive holds one published history of the society. Lesley Mills, Heckmondwike and District Co-operative Society Ltd 1860-1930, a brief historical sketch.