ABSTRACT
During the 1914–60 period of this study, the co-operative movement formed an integral part of neighbourhood life across much of Britain. Co-operative societies had central shops with subsidiaries usually located in working-class suburbs or nearby villages. In successful societies, the ‘co-op’ represented a powerful consumer organisation dealing in many trades and meeting a variety of members’ needs. In addition to the retailing and distribution aspects of the movement, the production, wholesale, political and educational elements further shaped this as an organisation capable of serving a broad range of requirements and interests. Using the construct of ‘community’ to explore this distinctive social, political and economic movement has highlighted a number of themes that have arisen during the course of this book.
