Local Co-Operative Hsitory

What was to become a world-wide co-operative movement all started from the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society in Toad Lane, Rochdale. Although it was not the first co-operative society, the Pioneers formed the ideas and practices that were to lead to the Co-operative Principles. These were adopted by people forming co-operative societies throughout Britain and abroad, thereby setting the pattern for successful consumer co-operative societies.

There were originally three co-operative societies in the Todmorden area, including one in Shade (a branch of the Todmorden group), and one at Walsden. Todmorden’s society at first sold only flour and meal. Minutes from 1847 notes ‘a blackboard with the previous week’s trading result shall be placed in the flour room by Wednesday of the following week’. Then in 1850, a cow was purchased, and the society entered the butchery trade, selling meat on its own market stall.

By 1886, the premises at Dale Street had been built, housing three floors including a hall, storage for the grocery and other departments. Under the building, the cellars were used for a grocery warehouse, and for butchery preparation. According to legend, in 1892 a butcher lured his lady-friend into the cellar, where he murdered her and cut her into pieces which he incinerated in the heating boiler. Reports by butchers working late since the incident have recorded an uncanny presence in the cellar, and legend continues that a man stoking the boiler one night turned to see a female spectre watching him.

In 1896, to mark the 50th anniversary of the society, the town was given the building which now houses Todmorden Library. At the turn of the century, the 3703 members had £116,934 invested in their society, sales were £136,190 (dividend 3/1d), and there were in total 158 employees. By 1934, the society had 17 branches, and productive units included watchmaking, millinery and dressmaking, as well as the more usual bakery, tailoring, shoe and clog making and meat products.