1949 Co-op shop opens at the Black Country Living museum

Early July saw the opening of a new (old) Co-op heritage shop open at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley. The 1949 replica No.11 branch of the Halesowen & Hasbury Industrial Co-operative Society now sits within the museum. The store was the Society's first self service store, and as you go inside you can see it's original layout with replica products to see.

As part of the process of getting the store built and open, we worked with the museum alongside our Co-op History Group to help get the authenticity right for a true feel of what it was like to shop in post-war 1949 Britain.

During the opening weekend, members of the Western MCC went along to the museum to help open the store, and also have some fun with members of the public attending the museum. We showcased other stores at the time with help from a display from our Co-op History Group, as well as showcasing the top products at the time with their equivalent 2024 product

To see the shop in all it's glory, head over the the Black Country Living Museum for a visit to a place that is wonderfully amazing with lots to do for all the family, for more information visit https://bclm.com/ and read their blog https://bclm.com/2024/06/07/do-you-remember-your-co-op-divi-number/