London Co-operative Society: Difference between revisions
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The '''London Co-operative Society''' was a [[consumer co-operative]] society in the [[United Kingdom]]. |
The '''London Co-operative Society''' (LCS) was a [[consumer co-operative]] society in the [[United Kingdom]]. |
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== History == |
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The Society was formed in September 1920 by the amalgamation of the Stratford Co-operative Society and the Edmonton Co-operative Society, two of the largest societies in the [[London]] Metropolitan area. In 1921, the LCS was also joined by the [[West London Society]], the Kingston Society and the Co-operative Brotherhood Trust. In addition, the Society also took over two branches of the Staines [[Co-operative Party]]. The consolidation of co-operative societies in the Greater London area continued until 1938, with the absorption of Hendon Co-operative Society in 1925, the North West London Co-operative Society in 1928, the Epping Co-operative Society in 1929, the Yiewsley Co-operative Society in 1931, the Willesden Junction Railway Society in 1935 and the Radlett Co-operative Society in 1938. Hence, the LCS was able to extend its area of the counties of [[Middlesex]], [[Essex]], [[Hertfordshire]] and [[Surrey]]. The company's [[general manager]] through part of this period (1924–1933) was Sidney Foster, who in 1933 went on to manage the [[Milk Marketing Board]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21885708/milk_board_chairman/|title=Milk Board Chairman Mr. Sidney Foster Assurance to the Customer|last=<!--no byline-->|first=|date=8 September 1933|work=The Manchester Guardian|access-date=15 July 2018|location=London|via=Newspapers.com (Publisher Extra)}}</ref> |
The Society was formed in September 1920 by the amalgamation of the Stratford Co-operative Society and the Edmonton Co-operative Society, two of the largest societies in the [[London]] Metropolitan area. In 1921, the LCS was also joined by the [[West London Society]], the Kingston Society and the Co-operative Brotherhood Trust. In addition, the Society also took over two branches of the Staines [[Co-operative Party]]. The consolidation of co-operative societies in the Greater London area continued until 1938, with the absorption of Hendon Co-operative Society in 1925, the North West London Co-operative Society in 1928, the Epping Co-operative Society in 1929, the Yiewsley Co-operative Society in 1931, the Willesden Junction Railway Society in 1935 and the Radlett Co-operative Society in 1938. Hence, the LCS was able to extend its area of the counties of [[Middlesex]], [[Essex]], [[Hertfordshire]] and [[Surrey]]. The company's [[general manager]] through part of this period (1924–1933) was Sidney Foster, who in 1933 went on to manage the [[Milk Marketing Board]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21885708/milk_board_chairman/|title=Milk Board Chairman Mr. Sidney Foster Assurance to the Customer|last=<!--no byline-->|first=|date=8 September 1933|work=The Manchester Guardian|access-date=15 July 2018|location=London|via=Newspapers.com (Publisher Extra)}}</ref> |
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⚫ | The LCS played a large part in the national [[co-operative]] movement and was a member of the national and regional organisations, chief of which being the [[Co-operative Union]] to which the LCS subscribed. The LCS was also a shareholding member of the English [[The Co-operative Group|Co-operative Wholesale Society]], generally known as the CWS, a federal wholesaling organisation for co-operative societies in [[England]] and [[Wales]]. By 1952, the LCS and its associated co-operative organisations, the major being the London Co-operative Chemists Limited, had over 550 establishments of sales and services, varying from large department stores to small grocery shops. These establishments consisted of grocers, butchers, fruit, vegetable and [[flower seller]]s, coal depots, furniture sellers, drapers, tailors, footwear sellers, chemists, laundries, estate agencies, funeral services and even guesthouses. |
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[[File:Puxton dairy.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Former London Co-operative Society [[creamery]] and railhead for [[British Railway Milk Tank Wagon|milk trains]] at [[Puxton and Worle railway station|Puxton]], [[Somerset]] on the [[Bristol to Exeter line]]]] |
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⚫ | The London Society also administered many manufacturing and processing establishments. It had [[creamery]]s located at various places in the [[West Country]], including [[Puxton]], [[Somerset]] which served as a regional railhead, product from which was transported via [[British Railway Milk Tank Wagon|milk trains]] to the main London creamery and distribution point at [[West Ealing railway station|West Ealing]]. |
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By 1963, the London Society was noted as being the largest co-operative of its kind in the world, which was led by [[John Stonehouse]] as President at the time, who also served as a [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] [[Member of parliament#United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|Member of Parliament]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21886138/keeping_coops_out_of_the_red/|title=Keeping Co-ops out of the Red|last=<!--no byline-->|first=|date=24 February 1963|work=The Observer|access-date=15 July 2018|department=Daylight by Pendennis|location=London|via=Newspapers.com (Publisher Extra)}}</ref> |
By 1963, the London Society was noted as being the largest co-operative of its kind in the world, which was led by [[John Stonehouse]] as President at the time, who also served as a [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] [[Member of parliament#United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|Member of Parliament]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21886138/keeping_coops_out_of_the_red/|title=Keeping Co-ops out of the Red|last=<!--no byline-->|first=|date=24 February 1963|work=The Observer|access-date=15 July 2018|department=Daylight by Pendennis|location=London|via=Newspapers.com (Publisher Extra)}}</ref> |
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The Society was amalgamated with [[Co-operative Retail Services]] in 1981. |
The Society was amalgamated with [[Co-operative Retail Services]] in 1981. |
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== Operations and influence == |
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⚫ | The LCS played a large part in the national [[co-operative]] movement and was a member of the national and regional organisations, chief of which being the [[Co-operative Union]] to which the LCS subscribed. The LCS was also a shareholding member of the English [[The Co-operative Group|Co-operative Wholesale Society]], generally known as the CWS, a federal wholesaling organisation for co-operative societies in [[England]] and [[Wales]]. By 1952, the LCS and its associated co-operative organisations, the major being the London Co-operative Chemists Limited, had over 550 establishments of sales and services, varying from large department stores to small grocery shops. These establishments consisted of grocers, butchers, fruit, vegetable and [[flower seller]]s, coal depots, furniture sellers, drapers, tailors, footwear sellers, chemists, laundries, estate agencies, funeral services and even guesthouses.[[File:Puxton dairy.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Former London Co-operative Society [[creamery]] and railhead for [[British Railway Milk Tank Wagon|milk trains]] at [[Puxton and Worle railway station|Puxton]], [[Somerset]] on the [[Bristol to Exeter line]]]] |
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⚫ | The London Society also administered many manufacturing and processing establishments. It had [[creamery]]s located at various places in the [[West Country]], including [[Puxton]], [[Somerset]] which served as a regional railhead, product from which was transported via [[British Railway Milk Tank Wagon|milk trains]] to the main London creamery and distribution point at [[West Ealing railway station|West Ealing]]. |
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== Politics == |
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Politically, the Society has also had a major impact. In the interwar years, the LCS Political Committee played an important role in winning Londoners over to the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]], mobilising people behind co-operative ideals, and shaping policy at a national level, working as part of the national [[Co-operative Party]]. |
Politically, the Society has also had a major impact. In the interwar years, the LCS Political Committee played an important role in winning Londoners over to the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]], mobilising people behind co-operative ideals, and shaping policy at a national level, working as part of the national [[Co-operative Party]]. |
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Revision as of 23:47, 15 July 2018
The London Co-operative Society (LCS) was a consumer co-operative society in the United Kingdom.
History
The Society was formed in September 1920 by the amalgamation of the Stratford Co-operative Society and the Edmonton Co-operative Society, two of the largest societies in the London Metropolitan area. In 1921, the LCS was also joined by the West London Society, the Kingston Society and the Co-operative Brotherhood Trust. In addition, the Society also took over two branches of the Staines Co-operative Party. The consolidation of co-operative societies in the Greater London area continued until 1938, with the absorption of Hendon Co-operative Society in 1925, the North West London Co-operative Society in 1928, the Epping Co-operative Society in 1929, the Yiewsley Co-operative Society in 1931, the Willesden Junction Railway Society in 1935 and the Radlett Co-operative Society in 1938. Hence, the LCS was able to extend its area of the counties of Middlesex, Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey. The company's general manager through part of this period (1924–1933) was Sidney Foster, who in 1933 went on to manage the Milk Marketing Board.[1]
By 1963, the London Society was noted as being the largest co-operative of its kind in the world, which was led by John Stonehouse as President at the time, who also served as a Labour Member of Parliament.[2]
The Society was amalgamated with Co-operative Retail Services in 1981.
Operations and influence
The LCS played a large part in the national co-operative movement and was a member of the national and regional organisations, chief of which being the Co-operative Union to which the LCS subscribed. The LCS was also a shareholding member of the English Co-operative Wholesale Society, generally known as the CWS, a federal wholesaling organisation for co-operative societies in England and Wales. By 1952, the LCS and its associated co-operative organisations, the major being the London Co-operative Chemists Limited, had over 550 establishments of sales and services, varying from large department stores to small grocery shops. These establishments consisted of grocers, butchers, fruit, vegetable and flower sellers, coal depots, furniture sellers, drapers, tailors, footwear sellers, chemists, laundries, estate agencies, funeral services and even guesthouses.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Puxton_dairy.jpg/250px-Puxton_dairy.jpg)
The London Society also administered many manufacturing and processing establishments. It had creamerys located at various places in the West Country, including Puxton, Somerset which served as a regional railhead, product from which was transported via milk trains to the main London creamery and distribution point at West Ealing.
Politics
Politically, the Society has also had a major impact. In the interwar years, the LCS Political Committee played an important role in winning Londoners over to the Labour Party, mobilising people behind co-operative ideals, and shaping policy at a national level, working as part of the national Co-operative Party.
At the 1945 election, all 11 LCS-sponsored candidates were elected, including Dan Chater in Bethnal Green North East, Percy Holman in Bethnal Green South West and C.S.Ganley in Battersea South. Alfred Barnes, also elected for East Ham South, even became a Cabinet Minister in the Attlee administration after 1945.
In the post-war world, it continued as an important campaigning force, providing key organisational backing for mass movements like Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Anti-Apartheid, supporting the fight against the Vietnam War and campaigns during the miner's strikes, and generally at the forefront of the campaign for peace, co-operation and socialism. A political presence was also maintained in the House of Commons through the work of MPs, such as Stan Newens and Laurie Pavitt. Alf Lomas (the former Secretary of the London Co-op Political Committee) was also an MEP and Leader of the British Labour Group of MEPs.
References
- ^ "Milk Board Chairman Mr. Sidney Foster Assurance to the Customer". The Manchester Guardian. London. 8 September 1933. Retrieved 15 July 2018 – via Newspapers.com (Publisher Extra).
- ^ "Keeping Co-ops out of the Red". Daylight by Pendennis. The Observer. London. 24 February 1963. Retrieved 15 July 2018 – via Newspapers.com (Publisher Extra).
- Collection Description of the London Co-operative Society archive, held at the Bishopsgate Institute, London
Other London-area consumer co-operative societies
- Former co-operatives of the United Kingdom
- Defunct companies of the United Kingdom
- Consumers' co-operatives of the United Kingdom
- Retail companies established in 1920
- Defunct department stores of the United Kingdom
- Retail companies disestablished in 1981
- 1920 establishments in the United Kingdom
- 1981 disestablishments in the United Kingdom
- Shops in London