Co-operative Society, Sawston c.1906

80 High Street, Co-operative Society, Sawston

History of Co-operative Store, Sawston

Number 80 High Street, now housing a cafe, was for 126 years the site of the Sawston Industrial and Co-operative Society: it was the first co-operative society in Cambridgeshire.

Brothers Seth and Owen Stubbings initiated fund raising through subscription pledges of £1 to enable the opening of a cooperative society on the model of those in the North to supply the sizeable and rising poor population of Sawston with basic essentials. They encountered significant opposition from some business sections in the community. Nevertheless in 1867 the Sawston Industrial and Co-operative Society opened their first shop in a small thatched cottage in the High Street, where food and other household necessities such as paraffin and coal were sold.

As the venture was successful building work was started in 1877 on a purpose-built shop at number 80 High Street. Some strong opposition remained to the extent that there were attempts at demolition during the night so that a nightly guard had to be mounted until the work was finished! These premises then remained as the Co-op store for 126 years, during which time the business was expanded with a bakery and an abattoir, and a horse and van were acquired for deliveries.

In 1923, the store was refurbished with an overhead cable system installed to send cash in a capsule up to the cashier’s office and return change and a receipt. Food was sold on the ground floor and household goods, clothes and furniture upstairs; the business was later expanded into other premises along the High Street. In 1951, after some lean years with low dividends, the members reluctantly voted for the Society to become a branch of the Cambridge Co-operative Society.

The store was rebuilt in the early 1960’s when it focussed on food and some small household items. As shopping habits changed in the 21st century, the store became unprofitable and closed in 2003. However, in 2019 a new Co-op opened, this time affiliated to the Central England Co-operative. This store is located further up on the High Street.