Interior of Co-op Ladies Department, Midland Road, Wellingborough

The Interior of Ladies Department in the Co-op, Wellingborough.

Until Midland Road was built in 1857 there were no buildings on the Swansgate side of the road.
Slowly between 1857-1900 various shops and business were constructed on this side of the road, all with purpose built shop fronts. These included Ballams Furnishing Emporium, Alfred Smeathers, Bakers and Confectioners and Hannah’s Fish and Poultry Stores.

In 1932 the Wellingborough Industrial Co-operative Society Ltd. purchased the majority of these shops in Midland Road. Two Co-operative Societies had originally been founded in the town in the Victorian period and joined up in 1892. The shops were run by a Management Committee elected by Society members. By this date there were various departments around the town, including grocery, butchery, bakery, drapery and coal departments.

Wellingborough Museum