THE recent closure of a Westhoughton supermarket has prompted a wave of nostalgia among members of a local history group.

The Co-op shop on Market Street ceased trading on Saturday, July 11, bringing an end to the Manchester-based retailer’s presence in the town a decade after it closed its superstore on Cricketers Way.

The closure led to members of Westhoughton Local History Group to take a look at the history of the co-operative movement in the town, leading to a a flurry of cherished memories recalled by the heritage organisation’s wide membership.

"With the group’s regular activities suspended during recent months, contact has been maintained with the members via a regular series of emails," said the group's chairman David Kaye.

"One of these featured a fascinating article which appeared in the Westhoughton Town Guide of 1926."

The article described that the Cooperative Society in the town "was founded by a number of work people who migrated from the Rochdale district to work at the Westhoughton Old Mill, and was registered in April, 1858."

The article went on: "The first grocery shop was opened on Good Friday of the same year, with members of the committee as honorary shop men. In 1865, the present Central Stores were built, and in various later years the six branches – incorporating 10 different departments – which are now established in the Westhoughton area.

"The society – which is the biggest ratepayer in the district – can be proud of the fact that, despite the industrial depression of the past few years, it has never yet failed to pay a dividend of 2/6 every six months. Within recent years, its activities have been widened by the creation of a bakery and confectionery department; and it now owns no less than 42 dwelling houses, which members are assisted to purchase by the Mortgage Department."

The Registered Office at that time was at 2, Wigan Road, Westhoughton, where there were also The Central Grocery, Drapery, Millinery, Boots, Butchery and Bakery departments. The six branches were at Chorley Road (Grocery, Boot, Drapery, Butchery); Bolton Road (Grocery, Clogging, Butchery); St John’s Road, Chew Moor (Grocery); Chorley Road, Fourgates (Grocery); Church Street (Grocery); Lower Wigan Road (Grocery) and School Street (Bakery).

"Of all the diverse topics covered in the communications with the Westhoughton group of late, none has resonated quite as strongly as this one," added David. "With the result being some fascinating memories of the Westhoughton co-op of yesteryear, which are still being received, and will ultimately be collated for distribution, as some of them make for fascinating reading."