South Suburban Co-operative Society

The South Suburban Co-operative Society was a cooperative retailer in south London, Surrey and Kent, England. It became part of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, now the Co-operative Group.

South Suburban came into existence in 1918 with the amalgamation of the Croydon (formed 1887), Bromley and Crays (formed 1882 and 1870) and Penge and Beckenham (formed 1879) Societies. In 1930, the Society merged with the Reigate Industrial and Provident Society, followed by the Tonbridge Industrial Society in 1938.

In May 1947, a 13 acre sports centre was opened at Beckenham and, in May 1949, employees were accorded full membership rights.

The Society's registered office was situated at 99 London Road, Croydon, Surrey, where it remained until the Society joined the Co-operative Wholesale Society on 28 July, 1984. Following the merger of the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society with CWS in February 1985, the administration of both former societies was moved to Woolwich on 6 May 1985. The London Road offices were closed on 17 May 1985 and moved to 18 Blackhorse Lane, Addiscombe until later that year.

Co-operative education was an important part of the South Suburban philosophy and in 1920 an Education Department was formed to arrange numerous educational, cultural and social activities and events. It became very influential in both local and national co-operative educational affairs.

The Society financially supported a local Co-operative Party Committee, which initiated and sponsored local political candidates and events.

The merger with CWS saw the South Suburban Society operating shops and services over an area of 400 sq miles of East Surrey and West Kent. In its last full trading year, the South Suburban Society had a total turnover of £47m, share capital of £1.7m, membership of 167,000 and 1,100 staff.

References

Looking Back..., South East region, Co-operative Wholesale Society Membership & Education Dept., July 1992.