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The first Co-operative Society to keep a shop running was the Bedminster one, which opened in West Street in 1882. The Bristol and District Co-operative Society was started by a group of trade unionists in 1884 in a shop in Houlton Street, St. Paul’s. One of the co-operators was shoe-maker John Wall, who wrote a history of the Bristol Society. 'We shall never forget it! The quaint shop, the small counters, the meagre supply of groceries and provisions — in all nineteen articles which had cost Ł20...

The Committee, inexperienced yet willing, with white aprons tied on firmly, bustling around with the importance but also the love of a mother hen with her first brood.'

The store opened two nights a week for its first six months; during the first quarter, average weekly trading was Ł10, and at the end of that time Ł130 had been taken and a 'divi' of 1s. 6d. was handed out.

Branch stores opened in St. George’s Road, Hotwells, and Lawrence Hill, and the movement was on its way as the first of the chain grocery stores. By 1918, the Bristol Society was prosperous enough to acquire land in Castle Street for new central premises which finally opened as a department store in 1930.

By the time the Second World War broke out, the Bristol Society’s annual sales exceeded Ł3 million. By then the Co-op could care for Bristolians from the cradle to the grave with tailoring, barbering, chiropody, hairdressing, removals, travel, milk, bread and funeral services, and there was a strong social and educational side as well.

But the war marked a cross-roads. The department store in Castle Street was one of the few to survive the Blitz, and traded on, a lone bastion in the wasteland (as recently as 1960 it had a 'Mantles' department) until Broadmead was re-developed and plans to build Fairfax House were laid.

The new store marked a new era of shopping, when the customer had to go to the shop rather than the shop to the customer, and this was an alien concept for the Co-op. It took them two decades to adjust to the new supermarket and then superstore mentality.

The Bristol Society ended the dlvi, joined the national Co-operative Wholesale Services and began a fight for customers that is still going on, as small suburban branches close to howls of protest.

The Co-op had great muscle a century ago, with its chain of branches; the small independent food retailers had to struggle against huge competition, since every suburban street could boast half a dozen butchers, bakers, grocers and greengrocers. That any of them have survived a century or more is a miracle, when you consider how difficult it is to diversify or compete against chain stores and supermarkets.

Bristol Co-operative Society Ltd

A timetable of the activities of the society: 1884 Bristol & District Co-operative Society formed and began trading at 32 Houlton Street, St Paul's, on 26 February. - 1905 Combined with the Bedminster Co-operative Society in July. - 1916 The Society's own Education Department was established at 11 High Street. - 1918 The site at 18 Castle Street was acquired. - 1928 The Education Department moved to The Scott Chambers above 73 Castle Street. Secretary was Arthur W. Cox.

1930 As stated in the Society's own souvenir brochure, 'the greatest event in the history of the Society took place when the new Central Premises in Castle Street (formerly at Lawrence Hill) were opened on 29 March. The premises are designed with quiet dignity and in true harmony with the work of the Georgian period'. The building had a dungeon, which was originally part of the old castle. The cost of the building was Ł80,000

The building was split into two sections:Facing Castle Street Basement Cafe, ladies' and gentlemen's hairdressers (appointment necessary), quick-service bazaar and stockrooms. Ground floor Drapery, men outfitters, clothes, shoes and tobacco kiosk. First floor Mantles, millinery, furs and underclothes. Second floor Furnishings, offices and boardrooms. Third floor China, hardware, committee rooms, tailors' workroom, employee's mess room and kitchen.

The facade to Castle Street was of Portland Stone and the long range of arcaded shop fronts were in bronze metal and framed in a bold architrave of black polished granite. A pneumatic cash carrier system served all floors. Heating was in panel systems, gently radiated from the ceiling. A sprinkler system protected the whole ot the building from the risk of serious fire.

Facing Castle Green Ground and First floor Warehouse (communicated with rear of the sales departments) and loading bay. Second floor A large meeting hall until a 600-seat capacity and cinema-operating room. The facade to Castle Green was of reconstructed Portland Stone.

1932 The building next to the rear of the premises in Castle Green, which once-served as a chapel, was purchased and used as furniture showroom, drapery and outfitters. The building on the opposite side of Castle Green (No.24) was acquired and demolished. I

- Floor length
- Comes with hardware
- Drapery with white hardware (EZ slide with stick pull - love these!)
- Mignone Interiors

Paid: $607.50/Asking: $100.00