The Co-operative Stores, shopping Options

[big tommy]

Thinking back to the Co-operative brings back so many memories and just how much we depended on it.

The Co-op in Springburn was an Alladin's Cave. It had everything from a pair of sannies to a slap up meal. The main store in Morrison Street just over the Kingston Bridge was like entering into another world. I can even remember my Dividend number, which isn't so hard as it was 11111. The old "divi" used to help us in many ways, like school clothes, the odd week-end and of course, somewhere we could go for a meal.

The Copey was used to hold receptions after a christening, after a wedding and sometimes sadly following a funeral. I hate to think just how many funerals I have attended which were arranged by the Co-op. All the arrangements, including the buffet after the burial, were arranged by the Co-op. Now, however, the Co-op seems to be purely into funeral arrangements with a plan called Funeralcare. No more wonderful shops, no more tea rooms where people could meet and chat. All in all, I think there are only a few small Co-op shops scattered around Scotland.

There was a fairly large supermarket in Kirkintilloch, but even this was bought out by Sainsbury's.

I still have my old dividend book, which I couldn't part with. You see, it was my mother-in-law's to begin with and when we moved in with her, we took it over and paid all the bills, and obviously we bought all the messages. The book must be 100 years old by now.

We sure miss the Co-operative.

Big Tommy

[stuarty]

hi tommy my wee local shop is the co-op just doon the road it is like the kenley village cop shop memorial hall chemists newspaper shop chinese restaurant kenley arms public house then co-op

[quester]

Hi again tommy. Boy, you ain't half stoking the memory fires. I remember the Co-opie very well. I even remember our 'divvie' numbers. Grunnie's was 17968 and oure 223645, Every trip to the Co-opie produced a wee receipt with the number on and we kept ours in a "jeelie jar" in the pantry. Once a year the Co=opie issued its "divvies" and we used to go to the main centre in Loch Street in Aberdeen armed with hundreds of 'tickets'. We dressed in our Sunday best because after collecting our divvie we went to the 'posh' restaurant for a meal. Blimey, once a year. Rest of the time it was a fish or a mealie puddin supper from the chippie.

[annie laurie]

I also remember the Co=op in Morrison St very well that was my first job working in the Co-op Offices Office junior,
I watched a show on TV the other night called{ Hot Property's} and it was in Glasgow and they showed you how the building has all been turned into Flats now, 97.000 pounds for a one bedroom Flat just about fell off my chair, was good to see Glasgow again, though as i never seems to get out of East Kilbride when I go home as my Brother and Sister have both moved out of Glasgow likes lots of people I am sure,
Tommy you have a fantastic memory, I also remember out co-op number though as well , how could I forget had to use it everyday after school bread & Milk at the Co-op and not forgetting the Rolls also

[Rab-oldname]

Tommy. Rabs first job was as a 'Butchers Boy' in the Co-op. I never will forget the day my big bike (with basket on front) got its wheel stuck in the tram-lines and deposited me on the pavement outside The Wheatsheaf Bar and the sheeps heid from my basket skited through the door into the bar to the consternation of customers My Mammy worked in Morrison Street ladies fashion dept. for years. Divi No. 4747.

[big tommy]

Quester

Are you from Aberdeen ? We went for our holidays there every year from whenmy daughter was just 6 months old /We tooka house in Holburn street witha a

[Isobel]

God Tommy you have some memory. Our co-op # was 1650 that was in Dennistoun. Then we moved and got a new #537 .I only remember the co-op as a grocery store.

[Cameron]

I used to deliver the groceries for the co-op up the gillshie i remember this one lady
she lived on the top floor and she always got a lot we used to have to put them in one of these big orange boxes with the two sides when you delivered them she wanted them put on her table then she gave you a penny tip

[betty2]

My mammy's co-op no. was 4861. Many was the yime when I went there to take her place in the Q. every body shopped there , And every quarter there was whet was known as the Co fever, that was when bills had tae be paid. Also rememberin her havig a mutuality club card, but canny mind what that was ,

still here in glesca

The Co. fed yi cled yi wed yi and finally buried yi

[Melody]

Cameron ah hope ye never spent it aw in the wan shoap.

[Melody]

A fine wee lass, a bonnie wee lass,
Is bonnie wee Jeannie McColl;
I gave her my mother's engagement ring
And a bonnie wee tartan shawl.
I met her at a waddin'
In the Co-operative Hall
I wis the best man
And she was the belle of the ball.

[Angela Chick]

melody you are mental girl but you sure make me laugh, a love that wee song

[Melody]

Ah'm no mental Angela, well no completely

[Angela Chick]

well melody if we aint mental yet we soon will be after joining the GG

[Melody]

Angela dae ye think ah should dump Biggles, ah've done everythin' tae get him tae notice me but hus he gave me wan wee wink?..............Not a sausage. But he is lovely right enough sure he is? He's got wan o they wee cute faces, an it's the eyes that get me, take a good look at him, nae woman could resist those eyes could she? Naw ah've changed ma mind ah'll jist keep him for another wee while and see whit happens

Yer right I am mental.