Birmingham (Industrial) Cooperative Society Shops

[mikejee]

Memories of the co-op

 

[Vivienne14]

What a wonderful display at this Co-Op. It was branch #10, High Street Erdington. The time and care put into the display is stunning. I can see meat hung up outside, but not sure what the pieces are hanging down along the window frame. Think the ones above the entrance are bacon, ready for slicing on the premises. The stacked tins in the doorway look like biscuits to me, sold loose.

The canine assistant is drawing attention to the "Co-operative News". Hope he got a juicy bone for his efforts. Or maybe he was simply passing by and savouring the aroma from those hanging joints of meat. Viv.

 

[mikejee]

Viv
Reckon it might be a very long version of this

 

[laineymc17]

If the plaque is at Barrows Lane playing fields (Co-op owned) there've been the usual shenanigans about building houses on the site. Don't think it's gone ahead. (Shame on you Co-op - too ready to dispose of a piece of Co-op history). Viv.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/yardley-playing-fields-homes-battle-8546425

Hi birmingham city council had the common sense to refuse the planning for persimmons housing, however their right to appeal is being heard & taking place on 23/7/24 -despite very strong opposition from everyone in the community and strong support from the FA and MPs etc the co-op seem determined to go against the wishes of those who want to use the fields and safeguard the protected wildlife. The co-ops actions are contrary to how they promote and advertise themselves for always doing their best for the community- very sad if more of Yardley’s history is to be concreted over !

 

[Lady Penelope]

My Dad worked the Co-op on Stockland Green from the mid-1920's. I can still smell the cheese, coffee and bacon when you walked in. ,This would have been the early 1950's. Lovely shot of the Co-op in Erdington. I presume it's 6 ways end but I can never remember the numbering.

 

[mikejee]

Cooperative employees from Birmingham had a day out in Evesham in 1925. Must have been a red letter day for charabanc operators. Presumably senior staff had the roof

 

[Lady Penelope]

We often went to the shop on Stockland Green. Any mention of Co-op brings memories of smells - sawdust in the butchers, bacon, cheese and coffee (ground) in the grocers, wet fish and vegetables in the greengrocers and lotions and potions in the chemists. Smells and the angle of sunshine take me back as much as photos.

 

[OuterCircleBus]

Any ideas as to what this building was on Stratford Road? It's between Greswold Road and Grove Road. It's dated 1912. Viv.

View attachment 107691

In post #33, this was the dry cleaner's branch. The grocery, green grocery & butchers were on the opposite side of the Stratford Road.

 

[OuterCircleBus]

#35 above. Photo of 100th BCS on it's opening day. Had a look on Google now seems to have been demolished. As a child I was always much more interested in the nearby shop which was the Bon Bon.
View attachment 107736
I've learnt something new. The scanned picture was too large to post. So reduced the pixels and here it is.

The Fox Hollies Road (299-295) shop building once occupied by the Co-op are still there.

 

[BrummieGeoff]

Any ideas as to what this building was on Stratford Road? It's between Greswold Road and Grove Road. It's dated 1912. Viv.

View attachment 107691

I don't think this photo of the Springfield/Sparkhill Co-op shop has appeared in this thread before.
Note the jokey ads in the windows.
In the 1960's this shop was a Co-op dry cleaners, and the grocery section was in the parade on the opposite side of Stratford Road.

 

[BrummieGeoff]

All these photos of BCS branches ! I'm encouraged to ask if there's a picture of No 6 branch around, (Moseley Rd). I worked there mid-50s.

A very late reply to maypolebaz ....
Here's a photo showing the Co-op shop next to the bank on Moseley Road in Highgate (near the Belgrave Road junction).
Hope it's the right Co-op.

 

[Pedro42]

A very late reply to maypolebaz ....
Here's a photo showing the Co-op shop next to the bank on Moseley Road in Highgate (near the Belgrave Road junction).
Hope it's the right Co-op.

View attachment 219247

Small Heath - Coventry Road - Watts Road junction Co-op Chemists. On the third photo, dated 1968, the main store is just visible further up the road to the left

Peter