SHOP FRONT RECREATIONS
In 1844, the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers’ Society, headed by social reformer Robert Owen, the father of the co-operative movement, opened a shop at Toad Lane in Rochdale, selling the basic needs of everyday life.
The inspiration for this venture was the mechanization of the Industrial Revolution which was forcing many skilled workers into poverty.
Robert Owen was driven by an ambition to improve the health, education, well-being and rights of the working class.
Many employers operated the truck system, whereby workers were paid in tokens which could only be exchanged in the mill owner’s ‘truck shop’ for shoddy goods at top prices.
Recognizing this abuse, Owen decided to offer goods of sound quality, at little more than the wholesale cost, with a ‘dividend’ or ‘divi’ to encourage customer loyalty. By 1854 the British co-operative movement had grown to nearly 1000 shops.
The Leven Valley Industrial and Provident Society opened a store in Backbarrow in 1884, and for nearly 90 years formed a valued part of the local community. This merged with the Ulverston and District Co-operative Society in 1964, and closed its door at Backbarrow, for the last time, circa 1980.
- Open daily except Christmas Day from 10.00
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- Closing at 16.30 until the 30th March then 17.30 until the end of October
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- Enquiry line: 015395 30400
We present a number of ‘how it used to be’ shop window displays, including a bookshop, a shoemaker and repairer, a cycle and accessory store, a post office, a tea room and a toy and hobby shop, each with authentic contents.
