Glasgow Co-op memories - looking after a city from cradle to grave

Generations have been raised on its groceries or worked in its stores and factories, whilst many can still recite their hallowed dividend number, or 'divi', by heart.

The idea behind the co-operative movement was both simple and revolutionary: that enterprise should be run for the benefit of its customers (or members) and that those members should have a say in its running.

As the movement grew in the 19th century, Glasgow was at the forefront.

Aerial view of SCWS complex, Morrison St, c1970. Pic: Glasgow City Archives

Many individual co-operative societies existed across the country but, ironically, there was little co-operation between them. Scottish societies sought to address this and held a meeting at Bell’s Hotel, Trongate, in 1864 at which a wholesaling venture was discussed. “The Glasgow Society was the prime mover in the scheme”, noted the Chairman.

The Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society (SCWS) was subsequently founded in 1868 and based at 15 Madeira Court, Argyle Street, where Central Station now stands.

In the 1880s the SCWS began to set up manufacturing enterprises - first clothing, then domestic cleaning products and pharmaceuticals. It built a vast factory complex at Shieldhall which produced a range of items, from food to furniture. Shieldhall even made a decisive contribution to the Second World War, producing the “Flying Dustbin” mortar shells that were used to devastating effect by the Allies during the Normandy landings.

The SCWS outgrew its original headquarters quickly and in 1897 opened an elaborate new flagship office at 95 Morrison Street which still stands today, next to the Kingston Bridge.

Co-op HQ on Morrison Street. Pic: Herald and Times, 1989

It expanded and moved into service industries including hotels, banking and funeral services. The Funeral Undertaking Department was at one time responsible for almost three-quarters of all funerals in Scotland and underlined the Co-op’s role in all aspects of life, from the cradle to the grave.

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The organisation played an important role in the lives of many ordinary women, not just in running a household (a task which fell overwhelmingly to women) but also for educational opportunities and the platform to campaign for political and social issues, via Co-operative Women’s Guilds. Glasgow’s first branch was formed in Kinning Park in 1890 and by 1923 there were 283 Guilds across the country, involving women in the organisation’s decision making. Members played prominent roles in the women’s suffrage movement and the rent strikes in 1915.

The City Archives holds a rich collection of SCWS records, including those of many individual societies, telling the story of a fascinating organisation which now has more than a billion members worldwide.