BURY AND DISTRICT CO-OPERATIVE PROVISION SOCIETY LIMITED [BURY & DISTRICT CO-OPERATIVE...

Minute books, financial records

<p>Some printed annual reports and accounts of the society 1945-1948 are to be found among the records of the Woolfold Society (see ref GWF).</p>

The majority of these records were deposited by Norwest Pioneers Co-operative Society Ltd (now United Norwest Co-operatives Ltd, in 1967, 1986 and 1997; additional records displaced at the time of the merger were received from a former employee via Mr G White of Radcliffe in 1997.

The Society was established in 1856, initially using leased premises. In 1859, a new main store was built at 17-25 Market Street, and in 1869 offices, a hall and additional stores were built in Knowsley Street. There were also numerous branch stores around the borough. The main store in Market Street was replaced by a new 'Emporium' designed in 1936, but occupied by government offices during the war, and opened as a store in 1952.

A newsroom was established in 1859, run from 1860 by a separate committee, later designated the Education Committee, to reflect the diverse activities of the Society in organising elementary, science and art classes for adults. Continuation evening schools were also run for both children and adults, based at various day school premises, and aided by government grants.

In 1982, the Society merged with Norwest Pioneers Co-operative Society Ltd