Co-operation

As a reaction to the company shop, and dishonest trading practices in some shops, Blaenavon people worked together and formed co-operatives. These provided members with quality goods and services at a fair price. Blaenavon’s first was founded in 1861 when a co-operative store was opened in Broad Street. These schemes were based on the Rochdale Principles (1844), which included:

  • voluntary membership
  • democratic control
  • dividend (share of the profits)
  • the promotion of education

There were a few failed attempts but, by the early 20th century, co-operation was flourishing in Blaenavon. Branches operated around the town, providing members with affordable groceries, furniture, insurance, funeral expenses and even housing schemes.

After two failures in Blaenavon, the gallant Blaenavon men have set co-operation up again... In America, when a store is burnt down, the storekeeper goes round with a basket early in the morning, and picks up all the nails which are not melted; and by breakfast time he has driven them into the planks of a new floor, and commences business again the same night. This is the way with the energetic and invincible Blaenavon men and women, who are buying at the new store with more enthusiasm than ever.

George Holyoake, Co-operative News and Journal of Associated Industry, Vol. 21, No. 20, 17 May 1890

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  • In the early 1890s, the Blaenavon Industrial and Provident Society (Co-operative Society) took over Ivor House, the former grocery business of David Lewis, one of Blaenavon’s earliest shopkeepers (Acknowledgment: Blaenavon Community Museum)
  • The Ivor Street stores burned down in 1899 and had to be rebuilt. Here is the new building in c.1902 (Acknowledgment: Blaenavon Community Museum)
  • Another devastating fire in August 1918 destroyed the co-operative stores. It stood as a burned-out shell for the next ten years. It was rebuilt in 1928 (Acknowledgment: Pat Morgan Collection)
  • The new co-operative stores, built by John Morgan, were opened in 1928 (Acknowledgment: Pat Morgan Collection)
  • The Blaenavon Industrial and Provident Society Ltd. celebrated its Golden Jubilee (50th anniversary) with a concert at the Workmen’s Hall in 1939. Souvenir cups and trays were given to local members (some of which can be seen in the Blaenavon Community Mu
  • Members of the Co-operative Society could also take part in social activities, including day trips (Acknowledgment: Blaenavon Community Museum)
  • The co-operative, like many of Blaenavon’s businesses, offered a horse and cart delivery service to its customers (Acknowledgment: Blaenavon Community Museum)
  • The co-operative building is now known as Church View, part of which still contains a co-operative store (Acknowledgment: N.A. Matthews)