A talk on the future of the Co-op Movement by a local author takes place next week, organsed by Lancaster Green Party.
Ambleside-based author and Co-op member Robin Martakies describes his recent book, Co-operative Societies in North Lancashire and South Cumbria 1860-2011 as “a mix of facts and figures, gossip, pictures and advertisements looking back on a lost era of good service and good value, where any ‘profits’ were returned to members.
“It is an enthusiast’s book,” Robin, a former media relations officer, told the North West Evening Mail when the book was released last year. “It will appeal to those who love the Co-op and still remember their ‘divi’ number.
“For those of us who grew up when there was a Co-op on every street
corner and a department store on every block – or so it seemed – the
Co-op was our provider of choice,” he recalls. “It was a comfortable friend
that looked after us, ordered our furniture, delivered our milk and paid
out our dividend twice a year so that mother could stock up for the
holidays and buy dad some socks at Christmas.
“While Co-op
department stores continued to provide a home for Santa – along with the
fairies who stood by his side in the grotto and handed out presents –
all seemed well with the world.”
Almost every street corner had a Co-op shop or department store, and
locally-based Co-operative Societies with thousands of members provided a
range of services including libraries, public halls and even cinemas. (The Co-op was a pioneer from 1898 in the use of film to promote its products, with films shown in the many Co-op public halls and cinemas up and down the country).
Co-ops proved to be a success as by 1930 a million of the five million people in Lancashire were members – but now, only a handful of the Victorian town and village Co-operative
Societies retain their independence in a trading world dominated by
the likes of Asda and Tesco.
“The poor old Co-op embarked upon a long and painful cycle of decline,” says Robin. “Local
societies closed or amalgamated with bigger ones – which routinely
amalgamated with even larger ones a few years later – shops closed,
services disappeared from view and – horror or horrors – the dividend
stopped.”
That policy has now been reversed and the Co-operative Movement is making something of a comeback and there is now renewed interest in the Co-operative movement. So what are the prospects for Co-ops to make a comeback in the 21st century?
“As
a Co-op member for years I support the mutual structure that binds
The Co-operative to its membership and allows profits to be reinvested
to benefit the Society,” says Robin, talking about his aspirations for the Movement. “The Co-operative must continue to listen to its
members and address their needs and concerns. It must be fair minded,
open and accountable to the community through its ethical and charitable
practices and diverse range of businesses. It must truly involve its
members and staff from grass roots upwards.”
• The Co-operative Movement – Past, Present and Future: Talk and discussion with Robin Martakies, hosted by North Lancashire Green Party, Tuesday 10th January, 7.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House, next to Lancaster railway station. Free admission. Refreshments provided.