CFC: Co-operative Wholesale Society Furniture Catalogues

The collection comprises of Co-operative Wholesale Furniture Catalogues

The Co-operative Wholesale Society began cabinet making in 1893. The Birmingham factories, which opened in the 1920s, were equipped with large, well-fitted workshops. They produced for the regional supply of furnishing needs. The Cabinet Factory, Hay Mills and the Bedstead Factory, Belmont Row were also used for the production of pianos. The C.W.S encouraged piano buying, with good pianos at moderate prices. The work was transferred to Belmont Row from the Cabinet Factory and then returned after the reorganisation of the factories in 1932.

T.J. Henson opened the Enfield Cabinet Factory on March 27th, 1930. It was a large factory fitted with the newest machinery for mass production. A number of the machines had been specifically made to C.W.S. specifications.

The capacity of the factories needed more than a regional co-operative market. The chairman of the Boot and Furnishing Sub-committee of the Board's Drapery Committee, Sir William Bradshaw recognised previous proposals for converting all the regional furniture factories into units within one national, productive scheme. In 1932 this national scheme was adopted, with Mr Liggatt appointed general manager of all the cabinet factories.

Arrangement is by provenance

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.

Box List available

description compiled by Anna Russell, volunteer, National Co-operative Archives October 2008

Conditions of reproduction: Covered by copyright laws, a copyright declaration therefore needs to be completed. Reproduction is at the discretion of the Archivist

The collection has been appraised

The collection was deposited by Linda Walkden

There may be further accruals at a later date