Coniston Co-operative Society

In 1844 a group of 10 weavers in Rochdale, Lancashire set up an early Co-operative Food Store. They had been suffering reduced wages and extortionate food prices, due to the effects of the mechanisation and the industrial revolution. So they pooled what little money they had to buy basic foods and sell it to their members, who had to take a share in the co-op for a small amount of money, in return they would receive a cash dividend on any profits made by the co-operative. Their founding principles were to provide the community with good quality food at reasonable prices and share their profits with their customers. They became know as the Rochdale Pioneers.

In 1875 a group of like minded people in Sawrey, Cumbria saw the success and agreed with the principles of the pioneers. So they decided to set up their own co-operative society, in Sawrey and initially it was successful. Later in 1888 they opened a purpose built store in Coniston, Cumbria which also became a great success. So much so, that when the Sawrey store had to be closed, The Coniston store became the Coniston Co-operative Society and it is know today.