Tuesday 20 July 2010

The Chippenham Co-operative

The Chippenham Co-operative Society was founded in 1890. Over they years it played an increasing role in the local economy, becoming deeply involved in agriculture and dairy farming. For decades its large store dominated the lower part of the High Street. However by the 1960s the co-operative was facing increasing competition and found it necessary to join forces with other co-operatives, first locally and then nationally.
The Co-operative's flagship store was sold at some point to Wilkinson but the painted sign survived.
BBC Wiltshire has two pictures of the store. One shows the High Street, with the long façade of the Co-operative on the left. On the second one, the side of the building is on the extreme left, beyond the bridge. The painted sign is clearly visible.

...
C... [Chippenham ?]
Co-op Store
The
People's
Store
Bank
Factory
And
Friend

Location: High Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire / Picture taken on: 10/07/2010

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