Updated The Co-op, which appears to have been at the Triangle for well over a hundred years around 117 years in one form or another, finally shut up shop on Saturday (Nov 20).

“We’re sorry your local Co-op is closing. It’s been a pleasure serving your community,” was the brief departure message on a poster in the window, which was shuttered hiding the run down stocks within on Saturday at six o’clock.

It’s due to reopen as a Spar on November 25.

The Co-op Group didn’t respond to our enquiry last month about the reason for the closure, or whether it ever consults with members and the community before closing similar stores.

And neither did they answer questions about the history of what they called their ‘Cobden Bridge’ branch – although they did issue a general statement early last month.

Last day - shutters down

But after asking how long the Co-op has been at the Triangle on our social media channels, we received lots of comments about that, and the closure.

On Facebook Helene Sellman McQueen said: “There’s been a Co-op in the Triangle for at least 110 years I think,” and Julie Broughton agreed: “yes I lived at the triangle was born in a flat above what used to be Lancaster and crooks . MY MUM shopped there a sad day .”

David Eddis commented: “It must be over 60 years I remember shopping with my (sic) and I still remember the Divi number.”

Malcolm Smith said: “Was there in the 50’s .Mum got her milk tokens there and got her coop points which she cashed in every April.”

It was Rod Andrews on Twitter who kindly pointed us in the direction of the Kelly’s Street Directory from 1907 [pdf]  (p 167) which lists “Southampton Co-operative Society Limited” on the east side of Manor Farm Road from Cobden Bridge.

 

Bitterne Park Triangle. The horse on the left is enjoying a nose bag! @bitternepark @BitterneBox pic.twitter.com/VnQULPBeeO

— Southampton Hidden History (@SouthamptonHid1) November 13, 2021

 

It also apparently lists it in 1916/17, and again in 1920 and 1925 (you may have to click the images to see them in full on Twitter, including the Co-op listings) .

 

1907 was the oldest directory entry for the Co-op shop at the Triangle.

— Rod Andrews (@rod21198) November 20, 2021

…..and in 1916/17. pic.twitter.com/PywSKUnDBv

— Rod Andrews (@rod21198) November 20, 2021

…..and in 1916/17. pic.twitter.com/PywSKUnDBv

— Rod Andrews (@rod21198) November 20, 2021

 

The directory also mentions Lankester and Crook, said to have been the other largest food shop , on Manor Farm Road at that time , which it’s thought was where The Ink Factory Tattoo Studio, The Butcher’s Hook and the Bitterne Balti are today.

Lankester's had several branches in Southampton, including in Woolston, Shirley and Bitterne.

Among other traders on Manor Farm Road listed in the 1907 directory are Knowlton Eustace, estate agent; the National Telephone Co, a “public call office"; Stroud Frank Haviland, “hair dresser and tobacconist”; Fleming Charles, boot maker; Barker J. , fruiterer; Barnett J.L. dairy; and Soper Fredk. Harold, draper.

You can hear (and read) more about Triangle shops between 1925 and 1940 in our audio interview with resident Mary Long, who was eighty when we spoke to her in 2008. 

If you have further memories of the Co-op in Bitterne Park from days gone by, feel free to add them to our Facebook thread.

There’s a history of the Co-op Group itself on this Co-op Legal Services page.

Update: Further research we've been made aware of shows Southampton Co-operative Society listed in Manor Farm Road in the 1904 edition of Kelly's Street Directory, but apparently it is not listed in the 1902 edition. Intro of article updated to reflect this.

Last day before it closed