Administrative/biographical history

The Co-operative Movement collection at Bishopsgate Library includes pamphlets, journals and monographs relating to all aspects of Co-operation in Great Britain from c.1830–1980s. It includes histories of various regional co-operative societies, plus reports and speeches from the annual Co-operative Congress from 1869 to 1990, publications produced for the education of Society members, rule books and a great variety of advertising leaflets.

Scope and content

The collection includes material relating to the following organisations:

• Co-operative Party
• Co-operative Retail Services Ltd.
• Co-operative Union
• Co-operative Wholesale Society
• Co-operative Youth Movement
• International Co-operative Alliance
• London Co-operative Society
• Women’s Co-operative Guild
• Woodcraft Folk

A long run of Co-operative News is held as well as Co-operative Home Magazine and Annual Reports from over 40 co-operative societies. For enquiries relating to London Co-operative Society members' shares call the Co-operative Group's helpline: 0845 090 1456.

Read more on the London Co-operative Society archives