CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 3 1924 091 733 083 
 

 
 
 
 GornellI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ilr 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 
 Martin P. ( 
 
 School of Inc 
 
 latherwo 
 
 ustrial and La 
 
 ad Library 
 
 nor Relations 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924091733083 
 
Central Stores. Opened 1892. 
 
..PRESTON.. 
 
 NDUSTRIAL CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY 
 
 LIMITED. 
 
 Memento 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Guild Merchant, 
 
 1902. 
 
 .. ISSUED BY THE.. 
 EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE. 
 
 oilo Property of 
 
 W MAR77N P. CATHERVVOOD LIRP 
 
 /NDUSTRML AND LABOR HEL 
 
 Manchester: Jniversity 
 
 The Co-ODerative Wholesale Society's Printing Works. Longsight. 
 
 1902. 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Present Committee and Officers. 
 
 President: 
 
 Mr. JOSEPH TURNER. 
 
 Committee: 
 
 Mr. ROBT. C. AINSWORTH. 
 „ JAMES COTTON. 
 „ WILLIAM EASTHAM. 
 „ RICHARD FOWLER. 
 „ JOHN GORTON. 
 
 Mr. WILLIAM GREGORY. 
 „ JOHN GRIMSHAW. 
 „ WILLIAM HOLMES. 
 „ JAMES LEVER. 
 „ GEORGE PARKER. 
 
 Mr. WILLIAM SAXON. 
 
 Manager: 
 
 Mr. J. C. PATTINSON. 
 
 Inspector of Shops: 
 
 Mr. JOSEPH PEARSON. 
 
 Secretary: 
 
 Mr. J. C. SANDERSON. 
 
 Auditors: 
 
 Messrs. MOORE AND SMALLEY, Preston. 
 
 Solicitors: 
 
 Messrs. EDELSTON AND SON, Preston. 
 
 Bankers: 
 
 CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY, Ltd., Manchester. 
 MANCHESTER AND COUNTY BANK, Preston. 
 
 Educational Committee: 
 
 Mr. JOHN SALISBURY (Chairman). Mr. THOMAS PARK. 
 
 Mr. JAMES LIVINGSTONE (Sec). Mr. HENRY GRIME. 
 
 Mr. JAMES THOMPSON. 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Places of Business of the Society. 
 
 f 
 
 Grocery Stores. 
 
 1. North Road. 
 
 12. St. George's Road. 
 
 2. Skf.ffington Road. 
 
 13. Trafford Street. 
 
 3. Adelphi Street. 
 
 14. Bence Road. 
 
 4. Ashton Street. 
 
 15. Acregate Lane. 
 
 5. Walton-le-Dale. 
 
 16. East Street. 
 
 6. Brackenbury Street. 
 
 17. Broadgate. 
 
 7. London Road. 
 
 18. Holmrook Road. 
 
 8. Marsh Laxe. 
 
 19. Emmanuel Street. 
 
 9. Fletcher Road. 
 
 20. Watery Lane. 
 
 10. Syke Hill. 
 
 21. Kent Street. 
 
 11. Wellington Road. 
 
 22. Surrey Street. 
 
 Butchery Stores. 
 
 23. North Road. 
 
 34. St. George's Road. 
 
 24. Skeffington Road. 
 
 35. Trafford Street. 
 
 25. Adelphi Street. 
 
 36. Bence Road. 
 
 26. Ashton Street. 
 
 37. Acregate Lane. 
 
 27. Walton-le-Dale. 
 
 38. East Street. 
 
 28. Brackenbury Street. 
 
 39. Broadgate. 
 
 29. London Road. 
 
 40. Holmrook Road. 
 
 30. Marsh Lane. 
 
 41. Emmanuel Street. 
 
 31. Fletcher Road.- 
 
 42. Watery Lane. 
 
 32. Syke Hill. 
 
 43. Kent Street. 
 
 33. Wellington Road. 
 
 44. Surrey Street. 
 
 45. Boot and Shoe Department. ' 
 
 
 46. Furnishing Department. 
 
 LANCASTER ROAD, 
 
 47. Tailoring Department. 
 
 ORMSKIRK ROAD, 
 
 AND 
 
 48. Gents' Outfitting Department. 
 
 49. Drapery Department. 
 
 NEW HALL LANE. 
 
 50. General Furnishing Dept. 
 
 
 n n (51. DEEPDALE. 
 
 coal departments. - ( 52 CORPORATION STREET. 
 
 53. Warehouse. \ 
 
 
 54. Bakery. 
 
 
 55. Abbatoirs. 1 
 
 MOOR LANE. 
 
 56. Joinery. i 
 
 
 57. Stables. ) 
 
 
 58. Crow Tree Farm, Cadley. 
 
 REGISTERED OFFICE: 225, NORTH ROAD. 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Mr. JOSEPH TURNER, 
 
 President. 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Mr. J. C. PATTINSON, 
 
 General Manage 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Mr. J. C. SANDERSON, 
 
 General Secretary. 
 
 -11- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Mr. JOSEPH PEARSON, 
 
 Inspector of Shops 
 
 — 13 — 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Mr. J. Grimshaw 
 
 Mr. J. Gorton. 
 FINANCE COMMITTEE. 
 
 Mr. W. Gregory. 
 
 -15- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Mr. R. Fowler. 
 Mr. W. Saxon. Mr. J. Lever. Mr. W. Easthaji. 
 
 GROCERY COMMITTEE. 
 
 -17- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Mr. J. Cotton. 
 Mr. G. Parker. Mr. W. Holmes. Mr. R. C. Ainsworth. 
 
 CENTRAL COMMITTEE. 
 
 -19- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Mr. H. Grime. Mr. T. T. Park. 
 
 Mr. J. Thompson, Mr. J. Salisbury, Mr. J. Livingstone, 
 
 Treasurer. Chairman. Secretary. 
 
 EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE. 
 
 -21 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 WOMEN'S GUILD. 
 
 23- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Mr. W. D. T. Munford, Architect. Mr. R. E. Shai.ley, Auditor. 
 
 Mr. W. S. Edelsto.n- Solicitor. 
 
 -25- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 North Road Store and Offices. 
 Opened 1885. 
 
 27- 
 
<cr 
 
 cThe Origin and ^Progress of 
 Go-operation in *Preston. - ~ 
 
 J? 
 
 S T has been remarked that the history of some 
 movements in Preston may be reckoned 
 by the recurring celebrations of the Guild 
 Merchant. Perhaps the same comment 
 might be applied to the progress of the 
 Co-operative Movement in the town. At 
 any rate, it was not long after the Guild 
 of 1862 that a few working men made a couple of brave 
 attempts to put the principles advocated by Robert Owen to 
 a practical test ; but their well-meant efforts failed. Like 
 many other pioneers of undertakings intended for the welfare 
 of the community, the small band of Preston Co-operators 
 were a little too far in advance of their fellows. It was not until 
 the month of October, 1869, or thirty-three years ago, that 
 another effort was made. At that time the population of Preston 
 was only about 85,000 ; the Town Hall and the Parks had only 
 been opened two years, and the centre of the town, in the vicinity 
 of the market-place, was occupied by numerous old shops, ware- 
 houses, public-houses, shambles, weinds, and streets, all of which 
 have been swept away to make room for spacious thoroughfares 
 and magnificent buildings. The shop at the corner of Geoffrey 
 Street and Carey Street was opened as a Co-operative Store 
 under the title of the Newhall Lane Industrial Co-operative 
 Society Limited, and we are told that Mr. H. C. Owtram, a 
 
 -29- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 neighbouring millowner, gave the enterprise every encouragement. 
 There was no ostentation about the inauguration of the Society, 
 for the promoters were aware that they had an uphill battle to 
 fight, and they did not allow themselves to be over confident. 
 Fortunately the experiment was this time crowned with success, 
 for the little Society proved to be the foundation upon which has 
 been erected the great organisation that now owns and controls 
 places of business in all parts of the town. Previous to the 
 opening of the shop in Geoffrey Street much thought and con- 
 sideration had been given to the project. The outcome of several 
 meetings was that sixteen working men raised a share capital of 
 £20 by means of weekly subscriptions varying from a shilling up 
 to half a crown. We may take it for granted that there was a 
 deal of serious deliberation as to what goods should be purchased 
 to stock the Store for the opening night, and the list decided 
 upon — a copy of which is appended — will be perused with 
 interest : — 
 
 1 dozen Candles, 14's. 1 mug of Butter. 
 
 1 ,, ,, 16's. 50 Herring. 
 
 1 ,, ,, 18's. J gallon of Vinegar. 
 91b. 3d. Currants. 2/- of Oatcakes. 
 
 Alb. of Smoking Tobacco. Set of iron Weights, from 21b. 
 
 2 score of Onions. downwards. 
 
 2 score of Apples. 2 quires of Paper, 1 Butter, 
 
 1/- of Buns. 1 Tea. 
 
 1/- of Teacakes. 1 Sheep. 
 
 20 Loaves. 61b. of Sausages. 
 
 1 load of Potatoes. 61b. of Black Puddings. 
 
 The establishment was at first only open in the evening and 
 on Saturday afternoon, when work at the mills had ceased; but 
 after an experience of three months the hours were extended, 
 with earlier closing on Tuesdays. Naturally the members were 
 the objects of much good-humoured criticism from their neigh- 
 bours and friends, many of whom had no faith in the enterprise. 
 But the workers were too much in earnest to be turned aside 
 from their object. In the earlier stages they all gave assistance 
 one way or another in the shop, and their faces beamed with 
 pleasure when it was found that the first night's sales reached 
 
 -."0- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 the amount of the paid-up capital. That was a most encouraging 
 start, which infused redoubled energy into the work of the pro- 
 moters. At the end of three months the numbers had increased to 
 twenty-four, but during the ensuing quarter there was a reduction 
 of three, while at the end of twelve months the membership 
 had only reached twenty-seven. The public were apparently 
 suspicious, and chary in extending their support to the " Co-op " 
 Store, notwithstanding the energetic propagandist work which 
 was being carried on. Handbills were distributed explaining the 
 objects of the Co-operative Society, and when the weather was 
 suitable outdoor meetings were held, earnest addresses being 
 delivered to crowds of working-men and women, who were 
 generally attracted by the ringing of a hand-bell. The Co- 
 operators were undoubtedly few in numbers, but there was no 
 reason to doubt that they were very enthusiastic. A lively and 
 amusing illustration of this is furnished in the fact that, at a 
 social gathering held in the room over the shop, the wife of a 
 member mounted the table and delivered an inspiriting address. 
 Encouragement from such a source would doubtless spur the 
 members on to even more strenuous efforts to overcome the 
 prejudice and the difficulties with which they were beset. 
 Actuated by a desire to fall in with the ordinary usage of retail 
 business places, the committee decided upon giving credit. It 
 did not take long, however, to discover that this was an error 
 of judgment. The ready-money system was then adopted, but 
 the change was not made without a loss of from £20 to £30 — 
 cash that could ill be spared at a time when working capital was 
 the reverse of plentiful, so much so that a certain amount had 
 to be borrowed. If the shop receipts reached £15 or £20 for a 
 week the members rubbed their hands with glee, and when about 
 the second Christmastide the weekly income amounted to £100 
 there was unbounded satisfaction. The success of the venture 
 now appeared to be assured, and the principles of Co-operation 
 formed the theme of many a discussion in various parts of the 
 town. 
 
 At the beginning of the year 1873 some of the workpeople of 
 Mr. H. C. Owtram's Castle Street Mill met one evening in the 
 
 — 31 — 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 watch-house, and the outcome of their deliberations was that 
 another Co-operative Society should be established under the title 
 of the Preston Industrial Co-operative Society, No. 2. Little time 
 elapsed before a Store was opened in Adelphi Street (at the 
 opposite end of the town to the Store already established), and a 
 request was sent to the Newhall Lane Society to add "No. 1 " to 
 their title. The members of both Societies were not slow 
 to recognise the truth of the adage that " unity is strength," and 
 after some preliminary negotiations it was decided, at a meeting 
 held in the Weavers' Institute, on April 15th, 1873, "that the 
 members now present become one Society, to be called the 
 Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited." The resolu- 
 tion was duly carried into effect, but not before there had been a 
 day of stocktaking at the Newhall Lane Store, when it was 
 discovered that the No. 1 Society had a credit balance of £27, 
 without reckoning the value of the reading-room furniture. It 
 is worthy of note that a suggestion was made that the sum 
 mentioned should be divided among the members, but wiser 
 counsels prevailed. About this time two members' wives were 
 deputed to attend Preston Market for the purpose of purchasing 
 fresh butter for the two shops. Twenty-one years later the 
 weekly sales at the various Stores included five tons of Danish 
 butter ! Soon after the amalgamation, the shop 222, North 
 Road, was engaged for a Store, and vigorous propagandist work 
 was carried on in the neighbourhood. A manager was appointed, 
 and the rooms over the North Road Store were utilised as 
 offices, for which their central position made them very suitable. 
 It is a curious fact that the first printed balance sheet did not 
 make its appearance until the early part of 1873, which is said to 
 have been owing to the difficulty that had been experienced in 
 getting the document reproduced in type. This is another proof 
 of the antipathy which existed against Co-operation, a feeling 
 which is unfortunately not even yet extinct. 
 
 That belated document, which, of course, was issued by the 
 Newhall Lane Society, is reproduced on the opposite page. 
 The report was printed in large type, and issued in the form 
 of a window bill. There was improvement in many directions 
 
 -32- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 JNew Hall Lane Industrial Co-operative Society Limited, Geoffry St., Preston. 
 
 LADIES and GENTLEMEN, ~ ~~' 
 
 In laying before you our first printed Balance Sheet, we desire to place 
 before you a resume of the Progress and Business of the Society since its commencement. 
 Opening our Shop in October, 1S69, with 16 Members and a Capital of £20. After a 
 period of 3 Years and 3 Months we number at present 78 Members, with a Capital, in- 
 cluding loans, of £251 3s. 5d., also reserve fund of £25 6s. lid., besides which we have 
 considerably reduced our Fixed Stock Account, and expended over £6 0s. Od. on our 
 Reading-Room, a detailed statement of which is given below a perusal of which you will 
 perceive that our total sale amount to £8728 9s. lid., and a profit realised of £465 4s. Oti., 
 of which sum we have paid for dividend £388 2s. Id., Waving out our present disposable 
 balance of £45 12s. 4id, being an amount larger than the whole of our CapiUu Account. 
 
 We have again to congratulate you on the continued piosperity of the Society, the re- 
 ceipts over counter, for the past Quarter, amounting to £955 17s. 3d., which, after making 
 all due allowance, and for depreciation, will leave a profit disposable of £45 12s. 4id., which 
 sum the Committee leave in the hands of the General Meeting for disposal. 
 
 The Committee in drawing attention to the receipts of the past quarter, being less than 
 in the previous one, wish to allay any feeling on that account by at. once pointing out the 
 cause. 1st, the past quarter being one week less than in the former; and secondly, the 
 giving up of the meat trade, which had been a loss for the two previous quarters, deducting 
 ■the above two items show a gain for the past quarter of over £20. 
 
 In accordance with the resolution passed at the Special Meeting, held Dec. 3rd, 1872. 
 we forwarded an application for Shares to the Co-operative Wholesale Society, which 
 stands over until their next quarterly meeting for sanction. 
 
 The Committee wish to draw the attention oJ the Members to the amount outstand- 
 ing on the Books of the Society, which, considering the smallness of our Capital Account, 
 places us in no envious position ; hoping that the Meeting will decide on some plan of rid- 
 ding us altogether of these objectionable, items, and place us ia a position to deal exclusively 
 with the Wholesale Society, which we shall be enabled to do to our advantage and profit, 
 without leaving us to the mercy of private tradesmen who have no love for our principles. 
 
 Wc also draw j mil attrition to the Co-oprralite Newt, which cm be had °t the Storta trie* Id. Wttklj. Co-oparalori tad jtrni own Pbjjct. 
 WuhiDfi yra the compliments of lbs season, we remain low the Committee. 
 
 W. BRADSHAW, President. E. WHARTON, Secretary. 
 
 
 Retailed Statement showing the Progress of the Society 
 
 since the Commencement 
 
 
 
 
 
 °'"-' 
 
 
 ai- 
 
 i._uL, 
 
 =-"- 
 
 **•—- 
 
 haifM,** 
 
 »•»** 
 
 ...I*,, 
 
 "z'cr 
 
 '"'""" 
 
 Oeluber. 1869. 
 December 20th, 1969. 
 March 20U), 1870. 
 Jnrw 90th, 1870, 
 September SOih, 1970. 
 December 20th. 1870 
 March 20th, 187 1. 
 June 20th, 1971, 
 =H.-uteir.ber 20th, 1871 
 December 20th, 1871 
 March 20th, 1872. 
 Juuc 20th, 1872- 
 September 20th. 1873. 
 December 20th, 1872- 
 
 IB* 
 
 24 
 El 
 
 23 
 
 27 
 
 39 
 47 
 49 
 
 56 
 63 
 71 
 73 
 
 78 
 
 78 
 
 SO 
 
 26 3 
 24 16 
 2fi IS 
 28 3 21 
 33 19 5 
 
 58 11 1 
 70 6J 
 77 18 2 
 Hi 18 6 
 100 1 4 
 113 10 
 1.33 3 5- 
 
 30 
 
 30 
 80 
 80 
 80 
 80 
 80 | 
 
 90 n 1 
 
 118 
 
 260 
 320 14 2 
 340 IS 
 374 17 6 
 
 573 3 8$ 
 
 710 18 2 
 
 757 17 m 
 
 860 3 2 
 
 943 16 8 i 
 1069 16 10 
 9S3 17 3 
 
 18 14 9 
 
 19 6 1 
 19 1 4 
 
 90 2 10 
 40 6 3 
 40 1 91 
 37 12 lOi 
 45 9 5! 
 51 ID 10 
 4; 10 lo 
 
 37 4 1 
 45 12 4; 
 
 IS 12 6 
 13 8 1 
 13 17 10 
 15 12 
 *7 S 
 87 9 II 
 37 7 2 
 39 2 6 
 46 in 
 43 10 4 
 49 14 7 
 45 2 5 
 
 S 6 
 8 17 4 
 20 18 'J 
 23 19 a 
 25 1 10| 
 30 IS 1 
 36 a- 8 
 40 II '4 
 83 5 3 
 25 6 11 
 
 23 15 2 
 
 Silt 8 
 21 1) 8 
 21 IS 2 
 21 4 2 
 20 I 11 
 
 19 S 7 
 
 10 2 7 
 
 32 11 11 
 
 33 12 11 
 
 2 
 
 1 6 
 
 1 6 
 
 1 6 
 1 6 
 1 6 
 1 6 
 1 6 
 1 6 
 1 3 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 9^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 RESEBVED FUND. 
 
 FIXED STOCK. 
 
 DATS 
 
 """" r 1 mm 
 
 ■, E ..,-cn:,. 
 
 | toll Mm. 
 
 
 
 torn* 
 
 ■MBrai j "££ 
 
 June 20th, 1870. 
 September 20th, 1871 
 Dwrmher 20th. .1.870. . 
 March 20th, 1871. 
 June 20th, 1871 
 September 20th, I87I. 
 
 December 30th, I871. 
 March SOth, 1872. 
 June 20th, 1872 
 Number 20th, l*Ti. 
 Drcejober SOth, 1872. 
 
 ! 
 
 ! 5 6 6 
 5 6 £ 1 3 10 Id 
 
 2 b_u 4.J.I2 1 3 
 
 23 19 2; 1 3 8 
 i5 I 111) ■ 5 13 21 
 30 IJ 1 5 1 7 
 
 40 11 4 j 
 
 26 (711 1 
 
 7 6 1 
 
 8 17 4 
 
 20 18 I 
 23 19 21 
 25 1 10) 
 3<i 13 1 
 36 2 8 
 40 11 4 
 33 5 3 
 '25 6 11 
 
 Oteber 20lh, 1869, 
 Dtcember 20lh, 1869 
 Mirch 2Wh__lB7(L_ 
 Jum 20th, I87O 
 *mtEiuber 20th. IB7O 
 Dcember 20th. 1870. 
 Mirch 20th, 1871. 
 
 fuie.SOtb, I871. 
 *c(tembe.r 20th, I9J1. 
 December 20th, 187!. 
 March 20th, 1872. 
 Ju.e 20th, 1872 
 •^peraber 20th, 1872 
 December 20th, 1872. 
 
 25 15 2 
 
 it 12 8 
 21 II 8 
 21 5 2 
 21 4 B 
 20 B II 
 19 t 7 
 
 £ a. d. 
 
 10 6 
 
 10 
 14 4 7 
 
 1 1 
 
 'j a d. 
 
 3 2 6 
 1 1 
 116 
 II 6 1 
 
 15 3 ' 
 
 1 n 
 
 15 a 
 
 15 3 1 
 
 £ a. d. 
 
 22 12 8 
 
 21 5 l 
 
 20 8 ll 
 19 « 7 
 19 2 7 
 
 32 1? 8 
 
 The Thirteenth Quarterly Report mid Balance Sheet of the Society, for the Quarter ending December ZOth, 1373. 
 
 RECEIPTS. 
 Jales, £955 17 
 butipia, 36 I 
 
 EXPENDITOBE. 
 
 Beotunnd Shoes,. 
 
 land for ahor, 
 . Withdrawals. 
 „ Baluicw oo ha 
 
 Crr-rlii. A,„- l.v Memoena. 
 Ledger. ' - 
 
 in,- fuv timd*. [36 IO I 
 
 JHS 12 4-; 
 
 -33 — 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Ashton Street Store. Opened 1874. 
 
 after the amalgamation of the two Societies, as shown by the 
 first quarterly report of the Preston Industrial Co-operative 
 Society Limited, issued in July, 1873. By June the number of 
 members had increased to 226, the sales for the quarter were 
 £1,890, the net profit was £127. 9s. 2fd., and a dividend of Is. 7d. 
 in the £ was announced. During the next eighteen months the 
 Society progressed steadily — branch shops being opened in 
 Ashton Street, Walton-le-Dale, and Newhall Lane, the latter 
 being a Boot and Shoe Store. There continued to be a deal of 
 prejudice against the movement, even among the professional 
 classes. On one occasion, a well-known local solicitor demurred 
 about accepting one of the Society's cheques in payment for 
 some property that was being transferred. A bag of gold, 
 containing the specified amount, was placed on the table before 
 the man of law. He was requested to count the money; but 
 he preferred to accept the cheque. About the same period, an 
 up-street tradesman hesitated about accepting commission trade 
 from the Society. He was under the impression that Co-operators 
 would frighten away his more fashionably attired customers. 
 Some months later he expressed his satisfaction at having 
 
 -34- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 accepted the business of the Society, and acknowledged his 
 surprise at the class of customers the arrangement had brought 
 to his shop. There was an amusing little street scene one 
 Saturday afternoon in July, 1874, when the Ashton Street Store 
 had been formally opened. The members were walking in 
 procession, headed by a band of music, from the Store to the 
 Corn Exchange (now the Public Hall) in Lune Street. That 
 veteran Co-operator, Mr. T. Yare, was marshal of the demon- 
 stration, and much enjoyed the surprise — and even wonder — that 
 it created. "What's to do?" asked one of the crowd. "It's a 
 procession of shopkeepers," explained the marshal. "A pro- 
 cession of shopkeepers on a Saturday afternoon?" "Ay, they're 
 all shopkeepers but two!" The man in the street said no more : 
 he was evidently very much puzzled and astonished. By the end 
 of the year 1874 the membership had reached the first thousand 
 (1,010), the cash receipts for the quarter (at the five Stores) 
 amounted to £6,808, and the net profit to £532. 15s. 9W. An 
 
 Walton-le=Dale Store. Opened 1877 
 
 -35- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Educational Department was formed at the beginning of 1875, 
 and no time was lost in opening newsrooms in Ashton Street 
 and Geoffrey Street. At the April meeting a grant of £30 
 19s. Id. was made for educational purposes, and ever since, in 
 all vicissitudes of trade, a percentage of the profits has been 
 similarly allocated. It was during 1875 that the Brackenbury 
 Street Store was opened, and the Boot and Shoe Department 
 was removed from Newhall Lane to North Road, where, in a 
 short time, the sales were doubled. Early in 1876 two additional 
 reading-rooms were opened at Walton-le-Dale and Brackenbury 
 Street, while during the June quarter a Branch Store was com- 
 menced in London Road. The next development was the placing 
 of a Butchering Department in Geoffrey Street, and by the close 
 of the year 1877 (when there were 2,000 members) arrangements 
 had been completed for the purchase of a plot of land, on which 
 was erected the Fletcher Road Store and Bakery. The com- 
 mittee had in contemplation, about the same time, the erection 
 
 BracKenbury Street Store. Opened 1875. 
 
 -36- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 London Road Store. Opened 1876. 
 
 of two other branches — one in Gerard Street, Marsh Lane, and 
 a Butchering Department in Ashton Street. 
 
 During the next year, 1878, a cloud came across the com- 
 mercial horizon, which darkened the Co-operative outlook for 
 many quarters, and severely tested the strength of the founda- 
 tions of the movement. There was a deplorable lock-out in the 
 cotton trade during the months of April and May, when many 
 members of the Society were fortunately enabled to put to a 
 practical test the value of Co-operation, for in numerous 
 instances the accumulated dividends were withdrawn to be used 
 during the days when no earnings were possible. Just prior to 
 the trade depression referred to the Society had reached a high 
 position. There were 2,129 members at the end of the March 
 quarter, whose claims amounted to £7,233, and small savings to 
 
 -37 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 £1,625. The sales were £13,752, net profit £1,348, and the 
 dividend Is. 9d. By the end of the June quarter there was a 
 decrease of 33 members, the sales were down by £2,496, and the 
 profits reached only £913; members' claims were reduced by 
 £763, and the small savings by £449. During the September 
 quarter the sales were only reduced by £31, which the committee 
 attributed to depression in trade, reduction of wages, and a fall 
 in the price of provisions. There was no improvement during 
 
 
 Fletcher Road Store. Opened 1878. 
 
 the first quarter of 1879, when the sales were reduced by 
 £1,979. 3s.] 5d., and the membership by 21, while the dividend 
 fell from 2s. to Is. 8d. The Society was still on the down grade 
 during the June quarter, when the number of members fell from 
 2,046 to 1,975, which was attributed to many workpeople having 
 been compelled to leave the town owing to the existing distress. 
 There was a heavy fall in the sales, from £9,561 to £8,025 — a 
 difference of £1,536 — and the dividend was reduced from Is. 8d. 
 
 — 38 - 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 to Is. 5d. During the September quarter the membership was 
 reduced by 69, and the sales by £139. 12s. 8d. Those were days 
 when the most sanguine supporters of the movement could 
 scarcely avoid being despondent. But the committee were able 
 to steer the Co-operative barque with skill and courage over the 
 troubled waters, hoping for the good time coming ; and though at 
 the end of 1879 the membership showed a further falling off to 
 1,876, they were able to congratulate themselves and the Society 
 generally that the silver lining to the dark cloud had come in 
 view, as proved by the fact that the sales had been increased by 
 £520. 15s. 3d. The members' claims at this period stood at 
 £5,140, a reduction of £2,093 compared with the March quarter 
 of 1878, when the trade depression commenced. 
 
 During the March quarter of 1880 there was only a reduction 
 of three in the members, but a discouraging fall had taken place 
 in the profits, which brought the dividend down from Is. 6d. to 
 Is. Id. — lower than it had ever been previously. This condition 
 of affairs the committee considered as unsatisfactory, and only to 
 be accounted for by the heavy expenses, together with a rise in 
 the wholesale price of many articles without a corresponding 
 increase in the retail prices. In the June quarter more members 
 were compelled by the force of circumstances to sever their 
 connection with the Society, the roll being reduced to 1,776; and, 
 though the sales again showed a falling off, the committee were 
 able to announce that the dividend was increased to Is. 6d. 
 Trade had not yet recovered from its serious set-back, and the 
 value of Co-operation to the wage earners was proved by the 
 manner in which the savings of previous years had been utilised. 
 For instance, at the close of the September quarter of 1880 the 
 members' claims were as low as £4,111; eighteen months pre- 
 viously the claims stood at £7,233. For the last quarter of 1880 
 there was an increase of 35 members — the first time in more than 
 two years that there had been a gain in this respect — while at 
 the same time there was a corresponding increase in the sales, 
 which had gone up by £1,336. From this period there was a 
 steady, though slow, improvement in every department. During 
 the hard times a Clogging Department had been opened at 
 
 -39- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Geoffrey Street, and now, at the beginning of 1881, another 
 Branch Store was opened in Avenham Lane. At the close of 
 the last-named year the committee had pleasure in noting the 
 satisfactory increase of capital, which amounted to £9,440. 10s. 6d. 
 (including the small savings). This was rightly looked upon as a 
 sign of increasing confidence in the Society. The committee 
 were also enabled to inform the members that the adverse 
 balance at the bankers — which had long been a matter of 
 
 SyKe Hill Store. Opened 1883. 
 
 anxiety — had been cleared off, and the Society had not a single 
 trade liability against it at the close of the quarter. The stress 
 of the trade depression, which now happily had been left behind, 
 had been very severely felt by the organisation, and by none more 
 so than the members of the committee, whose load of anxiety and 
 responsibility must indeed have been heavy. At one time the 
 position was so critical that the deeds had to be mortgaged in 
 Manchester, and at a certain committee meeting the members 
 
 — 40- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 attended with a determination to propose the winding up of the 
 Society's affairs. It is a matter for congratulation that such a 
 suggestion was not acted upon, and that the committee, with the 
 self-reliance which usually distinguishes the leaders of Co-opera- 
 tion, were enabled to bring the Society successfully through the 
 dangers and difficulties of the years 1878-79-80. 
 
 The opening of the Guild year, 1882, found the Society 
 resuming its onward march. The Avenham Lane Branch was 
 removed to Syke Hill, and the Boot and Shoe Department was 
 removed from North Road to a new shop the committee had had 
 erected on the Society's own land at the junction of Lancaster 
 Road and Ormskirk Road. Both the changes proved to be very 
 advantageous. The thirty-eighth quarterly report (from June 
 21st to September 22nd, 1882) is here given, to show the position 
 of the Society at the Guild of that year, when the population of 
 the borough stood at 94,000 : — 
 
 Herewith we beg to submit to you the Statement of Accounts for 
 quarter ending September 26th, which we trust will meet with your 
 approval. The membership of your Society still continues to increase in a 
 satisfactory manner. During the quarter we have been pleased to admit 5S 
 persons, whilst 37 have withdrawn (principally through removals from 
 town), and nine forfeited membership, which leaves the present number 
 1,961. The sales of the Society for the past quarter (which is one of 14 
 weeks) amount to £9,525. 15s. 6d., an increase of £866. 3s. 6d. over last 
 quarter, and of £1,440. 16s. 7d. over the corresponding one of last year. 
 If the quarter just closed had been an ordinary one of 13 weeks, the 
 increase would have been as follows: over last quarter of £185. 15s. 3d., 
 and over the corresponding one of last year, £760. 8s. 4d. From the trade 
 account you will observe that after allowing for interest on capital, the 
 depreciation of buildings and fixed stock, and all other trade charges, the 
 net profit (with £7. lis. 7d. from last quarter) is £846. 16s. 4d., which we 
 recommend you to dispose of in the following manner : — to allow £20. 19s. 
 5d. for educational purposes, to pay a dividend of Is. 8d. in the £ to mem. 
 bers, and lOd. in the £ to non-members, and to carry the remaining balance 
 of £7. Is. 9d. to the credit of next quarter. Since the removal of our boot 
 and shoemaking business to Lancaster Road this department has given 
 general satisfaction, and the trade continues to increase. Our stock is 
 large and well selected. Our bakery still continues to be well employed, 
 and the quality of the bread turned out gives great satisfaction. 
 
 By the end of the year 1882 the membership once more 
 exceeded two thousand (2,017), and the sales amounted to 
 
 -41 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 £10,166. 17s. 10d., an increase of £1,109. 5s. lid. over the corre- 
 sponding quarter of the previous year. 1883 was a year of 
 uninterrupted progress; at the close there were 2,166 members, 
 the highest number up to then attained, the share capital was 
 £9,860, and the small savings fund £5,123 — more than at any 
 previous period. The dividend had again been advanced to 2s. in 
 in the £. The houses 80, 81, and 82, North Road, had been 
 acquired, and the erection of the new Central Stores was pro- 
 ceeding. An agreement had also been concluded for the purchase 
 of a plot of land at the junction of Skeffington Road and Mait- 
 land Street, for the purpose of erecting a new Store to replace 
 the old one in Geoffrey Street. Extensions were also made at 
 
 SKeffington Road Store. Opened 1886. 
 
 42 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Marsh Lane Store. 
 
 Opened 1886. 
 
 other Stores. The new Central Stores in North Road were 
 opened in January, 1885, an event which was celebrated by a 
 tea party, concert, and meeting in the Public Hall. The gather- 
 ing, a large and enthusiastic one, was presided over b} r the Mayor 
 of Preston (Alderman Forshaw), and was addressed by the 
 Chairman of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, the late Mr. 
 J. T. W. Mitchell, and Mr. Bland, of Huddersfield. Co-operative 
 principles were now making rapid headway in the town, and the 
 business of the Society during each quarter showed very satis- 
 factory expansion. A new Store was erected in Marsh Lane to 
 replace the one in Gerard Street. Another new Store was 
 opened in Bray Street, Ashton, and one erected in St. George's 
 Road. A coal siding was also rented at Maudland, so that the 
 Society could purchase coal direct from the collieries. As 
 
 -43- 
 
Wellington Road Store. Opened 1888. 
 
 St. George's Road Store. Opened 1887. 
 
 -44- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 proving the prosperity of the Society, the amount of surplus 
 capital became so large that the committee had to decide that 
 no member be allowed to hold more than 100 shares. Very soon 
 the new branch in Bray Street became too small for the amount 
 of business transacted, and a new Store had to be erected in 
 Wellington Road, Ashton. Under the new Building Club Rules 
 members were provideci with a safe and profitable way to invest 
 their surplus capital, and they soon began to take advantage of the 
 facilities offered to them. In 1890 excellent up-to-date abattoirs 
 and a bakery, with stabling and other conveniences, were 
 erected in Moor Lane, which were at that time considered to be 
 the best of their kind in the kingdom. The Educational Depart- 
 ment had by this time six reading-rooms under their charge, and 
 during the year last named they arranged for members or their 
 relatives to attend the classes and lectures connected with the 
 
 Adelphi Street Store. Opened 1888. 
 
 — 45 — 
 
— 46- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Harris Institute. This was the commencement of the extensive 
 system of education now carried on every winter under the 
 auspices of the Society. 
 
 The handsome and commodious new Central Stores, at the 
 junction of Lancaster Road and Ormskirk Road, were declared 
 open by the Mayor of Preston (Alderman Edelston), on November 
 25th, 1892, the foundation stone having been laid early in the 
 
 Acregate Lane Stores. Opened 1899. 
 
 previous year by Alderman Galloway, J. P., the Mayor. 
 
 The 
 
 buildings, which form a very handsome part of the architectural 
 features of the town, were erected, from the designs of Mr. W. 
 D. T. Munford, at a cost of about £6,000. The shops enabled 
 the Society to establish Tailoring, Drapery, Millinery, and Hat 
 Departments, in addition to the Furnishing Branch, which was 
 carried on in an adjoining building. There were at this period 
 
 -47- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 East Street Store. Opened 1900. 
 
 7,156 members, with a share capital of £63,682, and a small 
 savings fund of £6,388. During the first quarter of 1893 both 
 the last-named funds were augmented, although there was 
 considerable distress in the town, for, from the 14th February to 
 28th March, the committee distributed among the poor 6,040 
 quarts of soup and 4,273 cobs of bread. Quarter after quarter 
 brought forth a succession of balance sheets proving that the 
 Society was growing in all directions. The sales during the 
 quarter ending December 22nd, 1896, established a record, 
 reaching a total of £51,624. 8s. 4d., this being an increase over 
 the previous quarter of £5,948. 0s. 3d. The number of members 
 was 8,922. During the March quarter of 1897 the financial 
 position of the Society was thoroughly overhauled by a firm of 
 chartered accountants with very satisfactory results, and the 
 Society passed through what was considered to be a serious 
 crisis without the least loss of credit. For the first time there 
 was issued with the balance sheet a statement of each member's 
 
 -48- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 account as it appeared in the Society's ledger. There was also 
 published, for the first time for 15 years, the annual return 
 which has to be sent along with the auditor's report to the Chief 
 Registrar, in accordance with the Industrial and Provident 
 Societies Act, 1893. The succeeding three years were very 
 prosperous so far as Co-operation was concerned. New Stores 
 were established in East Street, Acregate Lane, Holmrook Road, 
 and Broadgate, and by the first quarter of 1900 the membership 
 had increased to 10,132; share capital, £93,740. 8s. Id.; sales, 
 £58,306. 17s. 4id. The rapid strides that the movement had 
 made in Preston was but a part of the growth which was going 
 on in all parts, for, according to the Parliamentary " Report on 
 Workmen's Co-operative Societies," published in 1901, we are 
 informed that "the progress made by Co-operation in the United 
 Kingdom in recent years has been continuous and remarkable. 
 Between 1874 and 1899 the recorded membership of all classes 
 of Co-operative Societies increased from 403,010 to 1,681,342, 
 
 «a» 
 
 Holmrook Road Store. Opened 1900. 
 
 -49 — 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 the percentage which Co-operators formed of the population of 
 the United Kingdom rising from 1-2 to 4*1. The increase of the 
 value of the total yearly transactions of these Societies has been 
 still more rapid than that of their membership, the aggregate 
 business for 1874 being valued at about 15 millions sterling, 
 while that for 1899 amounted to over 68 millions, exclusive of 
 the banking transactions of the English Wholesale Society." 
 
 New Hall Lane Store. Opened 1900. 
 
 The year 1900 was an unusually prosperous one for the 
 Society; the total sales amounted to no less than £249,710, an 
 increase of nearly £48,000 upon the turnover for the previous 
 year, and more than double the trade ten years previously. At 
 the end of 1901 new Stores had been opened in Emmanuel Street, 
 Watery Lane, and New Hall Lane, the membership had increased 
 to 12,873, the share capital stood at £106,210, in addition to which 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 there was a small savings fund of £13,469. The sales for the year 
 amounted to over £281,480. Twenty-one years before, in 1880, the 
 Society numbered 1,807 members, doing a yearly trade of £30,920. 
 The annual return for 1901, under the Industrial and Provident 
 Societies Act, showed that the Society carried on a distributive 
 trade as grocers and general dealers, and a productive trade in 
 dressmaking, boot and shoemaking, shirtmaking, confectionery, 
 bakery, joinery, carpentery, and painting. The value of the 
 
 Broadsate Store. Opened 1900. 
 
 productive trade for the year was £19,366, the average number 
 of people employed in production being 110, and the amount of 
 wages paid, £5,690. The present year, 1902, brought with it 
 active preparations for the due celebration of the Guild 
 Merchant, and this has doubtless contributed, in a large measure, 
 to the continued prosperity of the Society. The sales for the 
 three months ending March 18th last reached £76,789. The 
 committee's report for the quarter pointed out that the reserve 
 
 51 — 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 funds stood at £5,281, but that there was another fund, 
 practically a hidden reserve fund, in the depreciation account. 
 "For instance," continues the report, "in our accounts you will 
 observe that we buy land, then we build a Store and put in 
 fixtures and fittings; or we erect houses, or we purchase horses, 
 wagons, &c, for the use of our business. Each quarter a certain 
 amount is written off the original value of this capital outlay, and 
 
 Emmanuel Street Store. Opened 1901. 
 
 to-day, what originally cost the Society £79,844, is put down at 
 £57,661, revealing the fact that no less a sum than £22,183 has 
 been written off these accounts." Such items as these go to 
 prove the soundness of the Society's financial position. Although 
 the sales had expanded so much, there had been, during the 
 winter months, a considerable amount of distress owing to mill 
 stoppages, and it is satisfactory to remember that the Society 
 handed goods, to the value of £150, to the committee who were 
 
 - 52 - 
 
Preston Industrial Cc-operctive Society Limited. 
 
 endeavouring to help the suffering. For the quarter ending June 
 last the sales (£79,593) showed an increase of nine times as 
 much as in the corresponding quarter of the Guild year of 1882; 
 the number of members (12,831) was six times as many; the 
 share capital (£111,117) was nineteen times as much; the small 
 savings (£14,975) three times as much; the reserve fund (£5,628) 
 twenty-two times as much; the grant to education and charities 
 (£320) eighteen times as much; while the dividend had increased 
 
 Watery Lane Store. Opened 1902. 
 
 by Is. 5d. — from Is. 7d. to 3s. in the £. According to the most 
 recent audit, which gives the position of the Society up to 
 September 16th, the numerical strength of the ' Society at the 
 Guild was 13,074, with a share capital of £112,428, and a small 
 savings fund of £13,075 (total capital, £125,503); the sales for 
 the quarter amounted to £76,010, and for the first nine months 
 of the year to £232,393, an increase of £25,387 over the corre- 
 sponding period of 1901. The net profit for the quarter 
 
 53- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Kent Street Store. Opened 1902. 
 
 amounted to £11,182, which allowed the usual dividend of 3s. in 
 the £ to he paid. It will be noticed from the figures given above 
 that the liability of the Society for capital invested by the 
 members is nearly £126,000; and the investments outside its 
 own business amount to £66,850, all of which is thoroughly 
 secured. The Society has at the present time 58 places of 
 business, and the establishment of other branches is under con- 
 templation. There are 22 Stores for the sale of grocery and 
 provisions, 22 for the sale of meat, separate departments for 
 boots and shoes, tailoring, drapery, gents' outfitting, furnishing, 
 general furnishing, two coal yards with sidings, warehouse, 
 bakery, abattoirs, joinery, stables, and a grazing farm. 
 
 -54- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Before the period comes round once more for the due 
 celebration of another Guild Merchant the Society will have a 
 career of over half a century to look back upon ; and if the 
 achievements of the last thirty-three years may be accepted as a 
 standard local Co-operation is assured of an expansive, useful, 
 and beneficent future. Since the organisation was founded no 
 less a sum than £472,317. 12s. Id. represents the profits divided, 
 as well as the interest allowed on share capital and small savings. 
 Such an immense amount, devoted solely to the welfare of the 
 working classes, must have been the means of conferring advan- 
 tages which can scarcely be calculated. The average rate of 
 dividend paid has been 2s. 2Jd. in the £, a profit at once moderate 
 and encouraging, proving clearly the latent ability possessed by 
 Co-operators for business management. But there are many 
 
 Surrey Street Store. Opened 1903. 
 
 -55- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 other aims and objects in Co-operation besides the earning and 
 distribution of financial profits. The Society is a regular sub- 
 scriber to all objects that commend themselves to the approval 
 and generosity of an intelligent community ; besides which annual 
 subscriptions are made to such public institutions as the Royal 
 Infirmary, the School for the Deaf and Dumb, the Homes for 
 the Blind, and the St. John Ambulance Brigade. As a matter of 
 fact the Co-operators of the town have up to the present devoted 
 
 Opening of the Surrey Street Store, 
 November 8th, 1902. 
 
 £10,750. 14s. 9id. to charitable and educational objects. Much 
 ot this expenditure has been controlled by the Educational 
 Department, which has manifold and comprehensive duties. For 
 example, the committee have charge of half a dozen reading and 
 recreation rooms situate in various parts of the town ; they also 
 encourage youthful Co-operators to attend the classes held at the 
 Harris Institute and the Victoria Technical School, where those 
 students who make four-fifths of the possible attendances get a 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 substantial portion of their fees returned, while the more success- 
 ful competitors are awarded special prizes. Every month the 
 committee issue 7,000 copies of the Preston Co-operative Record, 
 a publication containing the official notices of the Society, in 
 addition to much valuable and interesting information. Every 
 week current copies of the Co-operative News — at once a news- 
 paper and a magazine — are presented free at each of the Stores, 
 and at the beginning of each year an almanac of artistic design, 
 
 Co-operative Field Day, August 9th, 1902 
 (Coronation Day). 
 
 containing all the business fixtures for the ensuing twelve months, 
 is presented to all the members. The department has also to 
 organise excursions, field days (at which as many as 15,000 
 children have been present), concerts, and entertainments. For 
 the organisation of the gigantic field days the [General and 
 Educational Committees are combined, each committee sharing 
 in the total cost. The Women's Guild, a branch of the Educa- 
 tional Department growing more and more in favour, arranges 
 
 -57- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 classes in ambulance work, sick nursing, domestic economy, and 
 needlework, besides taking a leading part in propagandist 
 gatherings intended to attract and benefit the suffering and 
 struggling families who always need a helping hand to assist 
 them from the quagmires of poverty. The Evening Continuation 
 Classes directed by the department are every winter improving 
 the education of the young people who during the daytime are 
 engaged in the various mills and workshops. Shall we cite the 
 session which ended last April as an illustration of this important 
 branch of work ? The highest attendance at the classes held in a 
 dozen of the elementary schools reached 2,970, of whom 2,345 
 students earned the Government grant, while 1,637 of the more 
 assiduous were awarded prizes. The total cost of this valuable 
 auxiliary to public education reached £1,960. 8s. 6M., a sum which 
 includes the school fees returned to students for regular and 
 systematic attendance. The Government grant amounted to 
 £1,576. 1 Is. 6d., and the fees received from students £386. 16s. 2d., 
 making a total of £1,963. 7s. 8d. There were during the session 
 between fifty and sixty teachers engaged with the classes, their 
 subjects comprising, besides the three " R's," history, geography, 
 bookkeeping, shorthand, drawing, business routine, elementary 
 science, domestic economy, needlework, dressmaking, vocal music, 
 sick nursing, and ambulance work. It will be gathered from the 
 facts here given that no inconsiderable amount of social and 
 educational effort is promoted and successfully carried on by the 
 Co-operators of Preston. Doubtless in the course of a few years 
 Co-operators, not only in this part of Lancashire, but in all 
 crowded centres of population, will find themselves in a more 
 favourable position to assist and reclaim the very poorest section 
 of the community, who are now prevented by their environment 
 from taking part in the advantages of the movement. Co-opera- 
 tion has already conferred immense benefit on a large proportion 
 of the population, but the extent of the benefits to be reaped in 
 the coming years will be measured by the zeal, intelligence, and 
 devotion of the rising generation of Co-operators who do not fail 
 to keep in mind and act upon the motto, " Each for all, and all 
 for each." There are great possibilities before Co-operators, for 
 
3 i 
 
 ii 
 
 a; 
 
 • o 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 we must not forget that there is a productive as well as a 
 distributive phase of the movement. Preston Co-operators may, 
 at any rate, look forward to the coming years with hope and 
 confidence that they will be able to take a still more active part 
 in furthering that community of interests which cannot fail to 
 improve the position and to brighten the lives of the labouring 
 classes, while at the same time contributing largely to the 
 industrial and commercial development of the town generally. 
 "Co-operation treads on no man's heels," says Mr. G. J. Holyoake 
 in a recent magazine article, " and whatever advantage it wins 
 for itself everyone else may share who accepts its principles and 
 applies them in like manner. Co-operation is the open door of 
 progress, and there is none other which leads like it, not to the 
 Empire, but the Commonwealth of prosperity." 
 
 ■HI — 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operativs Scciety Limited. 
 
 THE SOCIETY'S GOVERNMENT. 
 
 OUR illustrations comprise not only representations of most 
 of the Stores, but also portraits of the committees and 
 the officials of the Society. The position of a member 
 of a Co-operative committee is no sinecure. Much good service 
 is expected from all who succeed in winning their way to the 
 governing board of a Society like that of the Preston Industrial, 
 and as a rule that service is loyally and cheerfully rendered. In 
 all such organisations the criticisms of the ruling committees by 
 
 Crow Tree Farm, Cadley. 
 
 the members are not lacking in keenness and directness, although 
 seldom tinged with ill-nature. It is sometimes argued that 
 Co-operators do not err in over appreciation of those who 
 devote their time and talents to the cause — that the committee- 
 men's weaknesses " live in brass ; their virtues we write in water." 
 But it should be remembered that the members as a rule do not 
 care for drones or ornamental figure-heads in their controlling or 
 administrative departments, and if such a one does reach office 
 
'■'■^WW^ 
 
 
 % i 
 
 s 5 
 
 b a 
 
 fl o 
 £« 
 
 2 fl 
 » S 
 
 *£ 
 
 ' \ ' ! 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 he is replaced at the first opportunity. There are many members 
 of the Preston Society who have rendered long, arduous, and 
 honourable service to the cause, and on the present committees 
 there are veterans and others of shorter service who are faithfully 
 endeavouring to do their duty under the weight of responsibility 
 placed upon them. The leader of local Co-operation at the 
 present time is Mr. Joseph Turner, a resident of Walton-le-Dale, 
 who has been a member of the committee since October, 1878. 
 Twenty years later, in 1898, he was chosen to be the president, in 
 succession to Mr. R. Hindle, who, after a long and meritorious 
 term of twenty-one years as president, died in January of the 
 year named. A full-length portrait of the late president, painted 
 by Mr. Jos. Jackson, a local artist, adorns the walls of the board- 
 room at the offices in North Road. Mr. Turner was last year 
 unanimously elected a member of the North-Western Sectional 
 Board, after holding the position of secretary to the North Lan- 
 cashire Division of the Co-operative Union for many years. The 
 Grocery Committee comprises Mr. W. Eastham, Mr. R. Fowler, 
 Mr. J. Lever, and Mr. W. Saxon. The first-named was elected 
 to a seat on the committee during the year 1891. He was again 
 elected more recently, while the remaining members of the 
 committee have also had several years' experience. Mr. G. Parker, 
 one of the Central Departments Committee, first joined the board 
 in 1882, remaining in office until 1888, when he retired, but 
 rejoined four years ago. The remaining members of this com- 
 mittee are Messrs. R. C. Ainsworth, J. Cotton, and W. Holmes, 
 who have had considerable experience of Co-operative methods. 
 On the Finance Committee are Mr. J. Gorton, who was a 
 member of the board in 1888, Mr. J. Grimshaw, who became 
 a member of the committee four years later, and Mr. W. Gregory, 
 who was elected in 1898. The last named is also secretary for 
 the North Lancashire Division of the Co-operative Union. 
 
 Mr. John Salisbury, chairman of the Educational Committee, 
 has been a member of the Society for thirty years, having been 
 one of the promoters of the Adelphi Street Society in 1873. He 
 was a Co-operator long before that in another part of the 
 county. He was for some years a member of the Board of 
 
 - 65 - 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 Management, and for the last ten years he has held his present 
 position. The treasurer, Mr. Jas. Thompson, has occupied that 
 office since 1890, when the committee was first formed. Mr. Jas. 
 Livingstone has been the secretary of the Educational Committee 
 for nearly nine years. He at once proved himself an indefatigable 
 worker. During his initial year of office, the department 
 promoted the first of a series of annual field days which 
 have proved such a great success. In 1895 the Record was 
 enlarged from a small four-page sheet to the present size 
 (16 pages and a cover). The night schools, or continuation 
 classes, have multiplied the duties of the Educational Committee's 
 secretary, but at the same time they have undoubtedly 
 contributed in no small degree towards bringing the magic word, 
 "Co-operation," more and more under the notice of the general 
 public. Mr. Livingstone was one of a deputation from the 
 Parliamentary Committee of the Co-operative Union to Sir 
 Henry Campbell-Bannerman, and was practically chief speaker 
 in support of an endeavour to bring about an alteration in the 
 minute which has had such regrettable effects upon continuation 
 classes. He is the only person outside a school board official 
 who is in receipt of a salary, and he has been complimented by 
 more than one of H.M. Inspectors of Schools on the painstaking 
 manner in which he fulfils his duties. Mr. Livingstone has also 
 been the recipient of a handsome testimonial from the masters, 
 teachers, and scholars of the continuation classes; and these 
 classes, it is gratifying to know, are second to none in the 
 country in their average attendance and the earning of grants. 
 The Educational Committee have throughout shown themselves 
 in entire accord with their secretary in the various duties entailed 
 by the extensive system of continuation classes. Mr. H. Grime 
 joined the Society thirty years ago, and ten years ago was 
 appointed a member of the Educational Committee. The 
 remaining member of the committee is Mr. T. T. Park, who has 
 served for six years. The members of this committee have a 
 variety of duties, and are willing at all times to assist in the 
 furtherance of the educational side of Co-operation. The 
 Women's Guild have as their president Mrs. Seed, who has been 
 
 66- 
 
in 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 in office twelve months ; Airs. Helm has been secretary for 
 eighteen months ; and another earnest member of the committee 
 is Miss Nicholson, who, in addition to the duties comprised in 
 editing the Record, helps forward the cause of Co-operation and 
 social reform generally by her literary contributions to other 
 publications. 
 
 The manager of the Society, Mr. J. C. Pattinson, was 
 appointed in the year 1891. Previously he had been in office 
 for the Macclesfield Co-operative Society for 21 years, so that he 
 has had a long and varied experience in Co-operative trading. 
 When he became manager of the Preston Society the sales 
 amounted to £133,571, there were 6,618 members, and the 
 average dividend for the year was half a crown. Mr. Pattinson 
 is responsible for the purchasing of all descriptions of produce for 
 the various Stores. It is not at all surprising that he is known in 
 most parts of Lancashire, for, in addition to his journeys to the 
 Manchester district, he visits every week the rich agricultural 
 country situated between the Ribble and the Lune, known as the 
 Fylde of Lancashire, in search of commodities to be offered for 
 sale at the Society's shops. It is no light task to keep up a 
 regular weekly supply of cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, and cheese ; 
 and during the buying season for the Christmas markets the 
 manager is able to give some assistance to the Co-operative 
 Wholesale Society in their requirement of farm produce. Mr. 
 Pattinson has always proved himself willing to do what he can to 
 meet the wishes of the members, and he has a thorough know- 
 ledge of the mercantile requirements of an increasing Society 
 like that of Preston. 
 
 Mr. J. C. Sanderson, the secretary, joined the Society's 
 service in 1888, and was elected by the members to his present 
 position in 1897. The sales in 1897 amounted to £189,614, while 
 the membership was 9,012. Mr. Sanderson is a Fellow of the 
 Institute of Secretaries. How the society has prospered 
 since the secretary and the manager were appointed may be seen 
 by a reference to the tabulated statements on another page. 
 During Mr. Sanderson's secretaryship the offices where are 
 carried on the bookkeeping and financial operations of this great 
 trading concern have been completely reorganised. There are 
 no fewer than twenty clerks employed, the office duties being 
 
 -69- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 divided into sections, each set of clerks being engaged on a 
 distinct and separate section. For instance, there are sub- 
 divisions of work for trading accounts, share and small savings 
 accounts, club accounts, and coal accounts. The check department 
 has a responsibility all its own ; and in this section four clerks 
 are engaged in a separate room. The system is considered by 
 experts to be about the best that could be devised, and an 
 appreciation of its merits is found in the fact that it has been 
 adopted by some other local mercantile firms. Mr. Sanderson 
 has on two or three occasions written papers for discussion at 
 the North Lancashire Conference. He has taken an active part 
 in the movement now in progress for the establishment of a 
 Co-operative Convalescent Home, and he is a member of the 
 special committee which has been appointed by the North- 
 western Section of the Co-operative Union for carrying out 
 the project. Another important position in the Society is filled 
 by Mr. J. Pearson, who in August, 1901, was appointed to a new 
 office which has for its aim a general supervision of the various 
 Stores. The Society has many other employes, 225 being 
 engaged in the distributive and 110 in the productive trade. 
 May we not look forward to the day, not, it is to be hoped, very 
 far distant, when local Co-operators will be in a position to find 
 employment for many more workers ? 
 
 The auditor, Mr. R. E. Smalley, P.C.A. (Public Auditor under 
 the Industrial and Provident Societies Act), is a member of the 
 firm of Messrs. Moore and Smalley, and has held the appointment 
 since 1897, although for twelve months previously he had rendered 
 valuable service to the Society. Apart from his official capacity 
 he takes a keen interest in the Society's affairs. At the meetings 
 of members he gives his opinion on financial questions fearlessly, 
 and he is always ready to give advice on subjects appertaining to 
 accounts. As auditor he was called upon at a period when there 
 were certain difficult problems to elucidate, and he succeeded in 
 placing the accounts on such a basis as augurs well for continued 
 stability and confidence. The legal adviser is Mr. W. S. Edelston 
 (Messrs. Edelston and Son), who succeeded his father, the late 
 Mr. T. Edelston, who had been solicitor to the Society from its 
 commencement. 
 
 70- 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 THE STORES AND 0000 
 CENTRAL DEPARTMENTS. 
 
 THERE are at the present time twenty-two Stores, where 
 the Society conducts the business of grocers, provision 
 dealers, bakers, confectioners, and butchers, a separate 
 part of each Store being set apart for the last-named occupa- 
 tion. That all these Stores are extremely busy centres of 
 distribution may be gathered from the following list of com- 
 modities disposed of weekly: — Bread, 27,000 two-pound loaves; 
 butter, 160 cwt.; bacon, lOcwt.; biscuits, 20 cwt.; coffee, 4 cwt.; 
 currants, 20 cwt.; cheese, 30 cwt.; rice, 20 cwt.; raisins, 10 cwt. ; 
 sugar, 400 cwt.; soap, 60 cwt.; tea, 20 cwt.; flour, 350 packs; 
 potatoes, 200 loads; lard, 30 cwt.; tinned goods, 240 dozen; 
 confectionery, 700 dozen; eggs, 120 cases of 300 each; pigs, 50; 
 beasts, 20; sheep, 115; besides a numerous assortment of 
 miscellaneous articles which could scarcely be classified. 
 
 The constantly increasing trade of the Society as drapers, 
 dressmakers, milliners, shirtmakers, boot and shoe makers, 
 tailors, hosiers, gentlemen's outfitters, and furniture dealers has 
 so severely taxed the resources of the various departments at the 
 Central Stores (junction of Lancaster Road and Ormskirk Road) 
 that the Board of Management have been compelled to consider 
 the extension of the premises. With that object in view drawings 
 have been prepared which provide for a spacious Furnishing 
 Department in Ormskirk Road, with a cellar below the shop and 
 well-lighted showrooms on each of the floors above. The total 
 available floor space for this department will be over 8,200 super- 
 ficial feet, and the windows of the shop fronting the street will 
 exceed 64 feet in length, which will admit of furniture and other 
 goods being displayed to great advantage. The department will 
 be provided with a hoist to carry goods from the cellar to the 
 
 73 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 uppermost floor, and customers will reach each of the floors by 
 means of wide and easy staircases. During the erection of the 
 new buildings for the Furnishing Department the business will 
 be conducted in the premises lately acquired in Lancaster Road, 
 which, to meet the requirements of a large and increasing 
 business, will ultimately have to be taken down and new buildings 
 erected to accommodate the Tailoring and Hat and Cap Depart- 
 ments. The shop window for the Tailoring Department will 
 have a frontage to the street of 26 feet and the Hat and Cap 
 Department of 16 feet. In addition to well-appointed, lighted, 
 and spacious shops for these departments, extensive showrooms 
 will be provided, with a staircase giving easy access from the 
 shops. The present Tailoring Department is to be taken for the 
 Drapery Department, and the entrance doorway removed, it 
 being replaced with glass, thereby forming a shop window having 
 a frontage to the street of 21 feet. A Millinery Department will 
 
 Deepdale Coal Siding. 
 
 74 — 
 
Preston Industrial Co-operative Society Limited. 
 
 replace the present Hat and Cap Department, and means of 
 communication will be made between the shops inside, which are 
 to form three departments in connection with the Drapery 
 business, with a total frontage to the street of 69 feet. All 
 necessary provision will be made, of the best description, for the 
 conduct of business in healthy surroundings, to ensure the 
 comfort of the employes, and a convenient, spacious, and well- 
 lighted meals-room will be provided for the assistants of both 
 sexes. 
 
 The site of the Central Stores covers an area of 13,700 
 superficial feet; and when the whole of the buildings are complete 
 the available floor space, including the cellars, ground, first, and 
 second floors, devoted to the various requirements of the 
 Society's business, will be 45,300 superficial feet. The premises 
 will have a frontage to Lancaster Road and Ormskirk Road of 
 227 feet, and average 40 feet in height from the level of the foot- 
 path to the top of the parapet wall. The front elevation of the 
 new buildings will be treated to match, as far as practicable, the 
 architectural features of the existing buildings, and when com- 
 plete they will constitute an imposing block of business premises, 
 and the largest in Preston. The designs are by Mr. W. D. T. 
 Munford, who has been the architect for all the buildings erected 
 by the Society during the past twelve years. 
 
 -77- 
 
GENERAL STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 
 
 From the Commencement of the Society, March, 1S73, to 
 September, 1902, showing the Number of Members, Amount 
 of Members' Capital, Number of Penny Bank Depositors, 
 and Amount of Penny Bank Depositors' Capital. 
 
 Year. 
 
 No. of ri 13 t 
 x- £ „, i t-> Fenny Hank 
 -No. of .Members fenny n J .. , 
 Members. Capital. Bank Depositors 
 Depositors. Uap.tal. 
 
 1873 
 
 £ s. d. £ s. d. 
 369 723 3 1 156 96 16 10 
 
 1874 
 
 1875. ... 
 
 1010 2342 3 8 i 353 417 13 5 
 146S ' 4477 19 7 19.94 903 11 7 
 
 1876 
 
 1710 5174 7 7 
 2000 , 66S3 16 5 
 2067 1 6739 7 8 
 
 1770 1018 11 
 2332 1 1422 13 10 
 9901 1308 9 1 
 
 1877 
 
 1878 
 
 1879 
 
 1876 5140 12 3000 1726 11 10 
 1807 ' 4328 10 1 3000 2131 14 2 
 1898 i 5600 10 5 3000 ! 3840 1 
 
 1880 
 
 1881 
 
 1SS2 
 
 1S83 
 
 2017 6746 10 11 
 2166 9860 11 4 
 2474 15057 17 5 
 2934 ' 20064 2 5 
 3409 1 27454 14 6 
 
 3000 5077 8 10 
 3000 ! 5123 13 
 3000 j 5S75 5 9 
 2200 517S 1 11 
 3020 | 4976 11 9 
 
 18S4 
 
 1S85 
 
 18S6 
 
 1887 
 
 1888 
 
 4215 302S4 14 4 
 5177 ' 37758 11 6 
 
 3229 4782 18 11 
 34 IS ' 5137 4 4 
 
 1889 
 
 5631 46354 2 3814 | 5261 11 2 
 
 5992 ' 51467 6 2 3960 5935 16 4 
 
 6618 , 57S67 12 6 4314 6099 2 6 
 
 7156 636S2 3 8 5203 63SS 8 8 
 
 7859 ! 69585 4 3 1 5913 6658 13 6 
 
 8036 78721 17 6 6154 7272 7 
 
 8953 86138 6 7 6478 8177 4 5 
 
 8922 : 90583 4 4 6843 | 9250 4 7 
 
 9012 81716 6 1 729S 9011 3 10 
 
 9253 82522 16 1 1 8787 9723 1 
 
 986S 90369 8 2 93S7 10976 15 10 
 
 11421 97992 8 11 9751 11718 14 S 
 
 12871 106210 7 3 | 11585 | 13913 10 8 
 
 13074 112428 8 11677 13075 1 
 
 1890 
 
 1891 
 
 1S92 
 
 1893 
 
 1894 
 
 1895 
 
 1896 
 
 1S97 
 
 1898 
 
 1899 
 
 1900 
 
 1901 
 
 1902 (9 months) 
 
 
 
 
 -78- 
 
GENERAL STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 
 
 From the Commencement of the Society, March, 1S73, to 
 September, 1902, showing Amount of Sales, Dividend and 
 Interest Allowed, Average Dividend Paid, and Amount 
 Devoted for Educational and Charitable Purposes. 
 
 Dividend and 
 Interest Allowed. 
 
 Average 
 
 Dividend 
 
 Paid. 
 
 Devoted for 
 
 Educational and 
 
 Charitable 
 
 Purposes. 
 
 1873 
 
 1874 
 
 1875 
 
 1876 
 
 1877 
 
 1878 
 
 1879 
 
 1S80 
 
 1881 
 
 1882 
 
 1883 
 
 1884 
 
 1885 
 
 1886 
 
 1887..* 
 
 1888 
 
 1889 
 
 1890 
 
 1891 
 
 1892 
 
 1893 
 
 1894 
 
 1895 
 
 1896 
 
 1897 
 
 1898 
 
 1899 
 
 1900 
 
 1901 
 
 1902 (9 month 
 
 Total.. . 
 
 £ 
 7077 
 
 21445 
 
 39602 
 
 44709 
 
 58781 
 
 56010 
 
 38258 
 
 34895 
 
 36883 
 
 42609 
 
 48862 
 
 56401 
 
 65756 
 
 80929 
 
 101112 
 
 104440 
 
 135336 
 
 137212 
 
 133571 
 
 143627 
 
 171170 
 
 180770 
 
 187727 
 
 198218 
 
 189614 
 
 188991 
 
 203517 
 
 249710 
 
 281479 
 
 232393 
 
 s. d. 
 3 11 
 
 11 
 
 10 
 
 11 7 
 15 2 
 
 12 4 
 
 18 8 
 
 19 8 
 
 14 5 
 8 6 
 
 18 6£ 
 
 6 5J 
 
 3 10 
 
 11 4 
 
 £ 
 444 
 
 1528 
 
 3106 
 
 3906 
 
 5156 
 
 4637 
 
 2708 
 
 2203 
 
 2733 
 
 3221 
 
 4473 
 
 5562 
 
 6669 
 
 8946 
 
 11968 
 
 14869 
 
 16119 
 
 17357 
 
 21430 
 
 21654 
 
 22602 
 
 25480 
 
 26348 
 
 28439 
 
 23489 
 
 29516 
 
 32737 
 
 41545 
 
 48392 
 
 35065 
 
 s. d. 
 
 7 3 
 
 15 1 
 
 17 2 
 
 5 10 
 
 8 2 
 
 17 10 
 
 17 10 
 6 8 
 6 4 
 4 1\ 
 8 9 
 4 10 
 
 15 5 
 
 16 11J 
 
 17 6 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 10 
 
 «i 
 
 »1 
 6 
 
 4} 
 
 n 
 
 1 11 
 
 2 
 2 
 
 2 1± 
 3 
 4f 
 
 n 
 
 H 
 
 6 
 
 6i 
 
 7± 
 8} 
 
 Si 
 
 9 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 2 6| 
 
 2 6J 
 
 2 7j 
 
 2 11 
 
 3 
 3 
 
 £ 
 
 2 
 
 73 
 
 97 
 
 128 
 
 115 
 
 67 
 
 55 
 
 68 
 
 SO 
 
 111 
 
 139 
 
 168 
 
 223 
 
 294 
 
 365 
 
 404 
 
 433 
 
 535 
 
 518 
 
 575 
 
 637 
 
 649 
 
 705 
 
 598 
 
 643 
 
 689 
 
 1199 
 
 1167 
 
 901 
 
 8 11 
 6 11 
 
 12 8J 
 18 
 18 6 
 
 14 2 
 
 1 9 
 7 
 
 10 5 
 
 9 10 
 7 
 
 2 7 
 
 15 9 
 
 13 9 
 
 14 10 
 5 6 
 
 18 10 
 
 15 3 
 9 2 
 4 
 
 
 18 
 15 
 
 6 
 13 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 6 
 2 
 9 
 9 
 4 
 6 
 
 12 
 3 8 
 
 3471130 14 6 
 
 472317 12 1 
 
 -79- 
 
 2 2| 
 
 11652 18 5* 
 
Facsimile of Chromo Almanac for 1903. 
 
 Printed and Hound at the Co-operative Wholesale Society's Printing Works, Longsight. 
 
CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 3 1924 091 733 083