A celebration of 150 years of co-operation

Scotmid - Past, Present & Future Written and compiled by George Davidson SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION Contents The spr 1886-1915 1863-1900 S Introduction A Looking tothefutur Scotmid today 2005-2009 1995-2004 1985-1994 1981: Ane 1950-1975 1929-1950 1914-1927 Frank Murphy, Alexandria Williamson J M Ross Kelt, Thomas McKnight, Audrey Middleton, Contributors: Irene Beaver, John Dalley, Susie Jardine, Designed by Richard Marsh Edited by Patricia Edington Written by George Davidson t Cuthbert’s -theearlyyears ppendices ead ofCo-operation w Society name andanew ...... 6-7 ...... 4-5 ...... 32-33 ...... 22-23 ...... 20-21 ...... 18-19 ...... 14-15 ...... 12-13 ...... 10-11 ...... 1 ...... 24-30 ...... e ...... 31 ...... 8-9 ...... 2-3 ...... 16-17 ...... inexhaustible. It wasinthis were highandtheircourage We, today, reap thereward: or none,andtheirbusiness we reap where thepioneers principles triumphedover W DGready, Cuthbert’s St President, 1924 Of capitaltheyhadlittle experience wasextremely Co-operation began;but “First Fifty Years ofSt Cuthbert’s Co-operative limited; stilltheirhopes honest menandsound by William ELawson,Co-operative Press “One Hundred Years ofCo-operation” Association Limited1859-1909” atmosphere that Edited by William Maxwell all difficulties. had sown. Bibliography SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 1 Introduction Introduction the communities membership of our we Society gives our serve customers a genuine and opportunity to organisation the within role key a play while also helping their community. As the Society moves forward, responsibility the falls to us its to continued ensure success and Society that continues to the remain a truly independent Scottish Society, owned its members. by and controlled Orison Swett Marden, AmericanWriter Orison Swett

writer, writer, Orison Swett Marden, sums up their achievements: is not “Success measured by what you you opposition the by but accomplish have encountered and the with which you courage have maintained the struggle odds.” against overwhelming we Today still recognise the founders determination own their through who and endeavours created a better way of doing business, with values principles and which we still hold today. dear Scotmid Co-operative’s tenet been to has work hand in hand with against overwhelming odds. encountered and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle have with which you and the courage encountered Society President Success is not measured by what you accomplish but by the opposition you have have the opposition you accomplish but by what you by is not measured Success Looking back at the names of Presidents past who and have achieved so much over the contributed past and hundred fiftyyears, I feel humble and greatly privileged to be counted among them. I have worked and adult life served with all and for my this Society of ours, and contained in this famous publication is just a brief the well history remember I before. of went what centenary celebrations at Stenhouse Stadium. Considering the harsh conditions in which the pioneers lived and worked, perhaps the which I following read recently quotation by American Hollis Hollis Smallman started Cuthbert’s Co-operative with Association St on 12 May to 1958 become a and member of progressed the Management Senior Team Corporate Affairs. as Head of He retired and service from years’ 45 after 2003 March this position 2005, in President in Society elected was having been an since 1986. member of the Society active democratic by Hollis Smallman, Hollis Smallman, by 2 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION From StCuthbert’s to Scotmid JamesHay, blacksmith;GeorgeGuthrie,wood turner;WilliamCaw, joiner;RichardLees, cabinetmaker;JohnBorrowman,joiner; GeorgeSmart,cabinetmaker; p n are t, n Jh Bromn a onr was joiner) appointed thefirstpresident ofthe society. (a Borrowman John and to, drawn agreed were and society up the for rules meetings, subsequent Grove in society.co-operativeDuring a Walkerform to decided and AdamStreet of house the twelve in of met group workmen a that 1859 July in was It back quite as far as it does in Fenwick, Govan or Rochdale. reach not does Edinburgh in co-operation of history The Association Co-operative The formation Cuthbert’s ofSt falling away. members the of confidence the found they if store the to had they money little any advanced they difficulties; local day’s their regarding others consult to town neighbouring ordinary some to foot on their miles travelled they work; after hours’ six service or were five give Men to known known. be will movement never the of days early the in rendered service of gratuitous amount The capital theyinvested. they made rather than the purchases the of basis the of dividends from profits on members principle society paying the on Kingdom particular,in – abroad and United the in both societies co-operative successful future all for pattern the set that practices and ideas the on based be to society operative co- Society,Pioneersfirst Equitable the Rochdale the twenty-eight formed 1844 Rochdale in in weavers when beginning, its had it know we as movement co-operative the that England in Society, being founded some eight years later. It is, however, Fenwick in in 1769, weaverswith another, of the Govan groupOld Victualling a by formed was societies operative co- known earliest the of one that proud be may Scotland in We centuries. half a and two around back stretching history, long a has Kingdom United the in Co-operation The beginningsofCo-operation Association was thought to have made, only for it to be to it for only made, have to thought was Association the profit £13 the of basis the on paid was adividend £ the on of 1d 1s quarter, first the of end the At survived.) none Cuthbert’s,St after years four the in Edinburgh in opened that societies co-operative other five (Of certain. from far was Association the of survival very the which in The high hopes just expressed were followed by some years of justover £30. capital and members, 63 had Association others.”The for business men, reaping profits we had for long been sowing be soon would and more, something were we that feeling the have to began we but working-men, yet all were We committee. own our through shop, own our from us to over turned was it that in meal, and ham, butter, our in the defying life, his during had had it that condition same to the said in death his was after remaining indestructible, been body have whose saint a Cuthbert, St of legend the mind in had have may founders the that made been also has suggestion the although founded, was society the where district the of church parish the of name the from taken was name the that possible is It certain. for known Why the society was given the name “St Cuthbert’s” is not usual ravages of time and decay. Whether or not the enthusiasm, and some of us found new relish new found us of some and enthusiasm, latter theory is correct, the crest of the St the of crest the correct, is theory latter pnd ih osdrbe prt and spirit considerable with opened uhets ooeaie Association Co-operative Cuthbert’s committee members later said: “We said: later members committee osse o wa ae nw as known are what of consisted f ht a oe f h original the of one day that of “StCuthbert’s joints beads”,the flags or bunting, but speaking but bunting, or flags f h am o fsiie sea fossilised of arms the of ee o pehs n no and speeches no were creatures related tostarfish. pnn crmn, there ceremony, opening There was no grand was There n . and Cuthbert’s:St onr f otn Street Ponton of corner the early yearsthe early November 1859, on the on 1859, November 4 the on opened shop St Cuthbert’s first The SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 3 of social reformers. of social reformers. it was this devoted band it was this devoted First Fifty of the First Maxwell, editor Years William If ever men deserved to succeed, men deserved ever to succeed, If 150 Years of co-operation Years 150 1859 ‘A Tale of Tale ‘A is published KEY EVENTS Two Cities’ by by Cities’ Two The first St Cuthbert’s store in Ponton Street, store in The first St Cuthbert’s 1859 Edinburgh opened 4 November Charles Dickens Dickens Charles George Pearson, engine driver; John Lawrie, blacksmith; Adam Walker, foundry manager; James Nicol, joiner; Robert Will, cabinet maker; James Bonnar, warehouseman foundry manager; James Nicol, joiner; Robert Will, cabinet maker; James Bonnar, Adam Walker, George Pearson, engine driver; John Lawrie, blacksmith; The affairs of Associationthe from went bad to worse. not give Members their did full support own to their shop and shopped A elsewhere. vote in favour on of credit rather allowing than only sales cash sales reduced the Association’s capital and caused working some members to withdraw share capital. At the of the end sixth quarter, sales were down and the losses Association’s had risen to nearly £15. With capital, vanishing a and reduced debt increased sales, the end of the Association inevitable. The only glimmer seemed of light in the darkness was the continuing optimism and determination of the member every visited who committee, of the Association to convey to them the need to give all their business to their own store. This appeal members must to the have been successful: by the end of the following quarter, the Association had made of a nearly profit £3 10s offer and was able a dividend to pound. This was of the turning2¾din point on the the Association’s affairs, and October 1864, by the Association had 275 members, quarterly sales of over £1,500, and a profit for the previous The £100. over of period three-month future of the Association was secure, and the committee could at last see their efforts. from solid results discovered discovered on rechecking the books that the Association had in fact made a loss of nearly £11. (The members of the Association were asked to refund the dividend that had been wrongly paid to unwilling to do so!) were them surprisingly, but, perhaps not 4 2nd St Cuthbert’s store opens in Stockbridge &married women allowed tojointhe Association SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION this new societyinMaythis new 1866. of auspices the under re-opened shop Northern DistrictSociety,Co-operative the and the society, new co-operative a form to decided closure, the however, having appealed shop, unsuccessfully against this by served been had who Cuthbert’s St of members The it. close to made was decision a 1866 February in and managed, well 1863. not was shop new Unfortunately, Junethe in business for opened city,Stockbridge. shop in second This to decided open a branch on the was north side of the it from and Cuthbert’s, St join coming to Edinburgh of parts now other were People Society Co-operative District The formation oftheNorthern 1863-1900 1863-64 New grocery&bakery opens inMorrisonSt 1865 Society (SCWS)in1868. Wholesale of Co-operative Scottish formation the eventual the the for paved way buying joint regarding arrangements and discussions Such largest and most successful merchants. the of any with terms equal on buy to power,purchasing able be would they felt that if the societies could unite their of goods began as early buying as 1863, as it was joint to view a with area Edinburgh the in societies operative co- various the between Discussions purchasing Co-operative New grocerystores 1877-78 open in Dalry open inDalry & Adam St The consequences Fountainbridge & Tynecastle New headofficebuilt in grocery storeopens of membership 1880-82 rno mmes h hd made such asacrificeforco-operation. had who greatly members been these Granton of loyalty have the with to impressed said were committee The membership. their up give to refusing and Association the local a of members being landlord, for simply grocer, their their by from homes evicted in were members Granton Cuthbert’s St Some Staff standingoutsideattheopeningofstore on MorningsideRoad,1887 St Leonard’s &Morningside New grocerystores open in Newington, , Newington, Dumbiedykes, 1885-86 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 5 1897-1900 New grocery stores open in Polwarth, Ter, Ter, Polwarth, Roseburn Rd, Easter Rd & The Pleasance Rd, Easter Rd & 1863-1900 1895-96 Causewayside & Royal Park Ter Causewayside & Royal Park St Giles St, Montrose Ter, Albert Pl, Ter, St Giles St, Montrose New grocery stores open in , Further of St Cuthbert’s expansion The late 1870s saw the startNew branches and Cuthbert’s. significantStexpansion for of a period of determined opened at Dalry (1877), Adam Street (1878), Morrison Street (1880), Dumbiedykes (1885). Tynecastle In fact, membership of the society (1882), was increasing Newington at such a rate that the committee and realised they would have to open even more branches in order to premises. current Association’s the at congestion the relieve The committee therefore decided that new shops should be opened everywhere they were likely to succeed, which led to the opening of branches in Morningside St Leonard’s (1887), (1887), Canongate (1894), Montrose Terrace (1895), Causewayside (1893), (1896), mention to (1900), Pleasance The and (1899) Road Easter only a few. bakery and stabling 1893-94 & Warrender Pk & Warrender New stores open in Canongate, Bruntsfield at 92 Fountainbridge with at 92 Fountainbridge with A drawing of the head office drawing of the head office A Due Due to the problems arising from allowing credit, a debt-collecting committee had to members be formed to call on members every week to try to persuade them to accounts. their reduce One committee member, getting tired the in of persuasion of line new interesting an his tried success, lack of home of one member who could not be persuaded to a out took he debt: outstanding her of penny a even pay notebook and, looking round the room, began making entries, saying out loud ‘One eight-day clock, one chest of drawers…’ ‘Mercy me,’ cried the woman, ‘whit are ye gaun to dae wi ma clock?’ account.’ store your pay ‘to said the visitor, it,’ ‘Sell no ‘Ye’ll dae that,’ she said, and produced five shillings from her handbag, promising to pay something every the account. to reduce week The trials of The debt-collecting 1888-91 & Marshall St New grocery stores open in Valleyfield St, St St, Dundee St in Valleyfield 1886 opens in Bread St New drapery store With With rising increasing trade, the Fountainbridge membership becoming premises were too small for and the requirements of the Association, and the committee therefore bought from the Company North a British large piece new erect to which on Railway Fountainbridge of land in stabling and baking which in premises could be accommodated close to the shops. The new building was formally 1880. opened on 25 December New premises at Fountainbridge at premises New Expansion of St Cuthbert’s The mid-1860s saw the opening of a new shop and bakery in Morrison Street, and also saw the Association branching out to include beyond drapery and immediately groceries boots, with not great was success. not until 1872 that the members It of the Association were to allow persuaded the committee to separate create a shop dedicated to and drapery boots; this shop opened in April 1873 next to the Street. Morrison grocery store in In 1864, married women were allowed allowed were women married 1864, In to join the Association, but resolution with a added at quarterly the following meeting married women ‘that who have husbands we able to attend the meetings, fine but who are absent’! (This enforced.) been to have appears never latter resolution Admission of women members women of Admission 6 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION t oge ht a nt hn n use, in then not was that Gorgie at department’s slaughter house building Set up in 1912 in a part of the fleshing business Expansion into new areas of Bread Street in1900. in department pharmacy first the and opened department crockery in 1894, Association A furniture. the of sale the into expanded drapery 1899, from and and 1887 between opened were shops drapery new Three 1887. August in up set was department coal A afterwards. shortly opened shops butcher branch other and Fountainbridge 1886, in in established was butcher’sA business. bakery and shop grocery core its beyond horizons its expand to continued Cuthbert’s St Widening theservice 1886-1915 St Cuthbert’s opens butcher’s shopin butcher’s Fountainbridge 1886 St Cuthbert’s setsup a coaldepartment 1887 in theUnited Kingdom. largest farming operation in the Scotland and the largest cattle werefeeders Cuthbert’s the St bought 1935, were By year. village, following small a and house mansion a including Bonnington, at acres 780 further a and 1918, of end the at purchased were estate, Newtonhall the farms, on more Four mill. a and gardens, market cottages, in extent, the estate included four farms, a mansion house, acres 1,000 Almost £40,000. for Edinburgh outside estate development, in 1913 St Cuthbert’s bought the Cliftonhall Cairns, for field John fruitful a Association manager, the offered agriculture that general then the by Persuaded brought the army’s need of the facilities laundry to an end. war the in of end remain the after, to Shortly Association’shands. the laundry the for argue to London to went board threat the from delegation a a when removed later was use, that own its for requisition to threatened then A later,years few army a the opened which was laundry new success. immediate an was laundry Cuthbert’s St the open inNicolsonSt, New draperystores Tynecastle & 1887-99 crockery department St Cuthbert’s opens 1894 been anundoubtedly William editor Maxwell, of beneficent factor Association has Association in thelives of St Cuthbert’s thousands. First Fifty YearsFirst Fifty pharmacy department St Cuthbert’s opens in BreadStreet 1900 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 7 1914-15 and Amalgamation of St Cuthbert’s & Bonnyrigg & Bonnyrigg Cuthbert’s 1886-1915 Amalgamation with the Norton Amalgamation Society Park In 1911, the Norton amalgamated with Park The St Cuthbert’s. Society addition of its 500 or bringing so the total members membership of St to 50,000. Cuthbert’s with Amalgamation and Juniper Green Bonnyrigg Further expansion of the Association came with the taking Bonnyrigg over of Society the the in Juniper Green Society 1914 in 1915. The and two societies bringing another 1,300 members. Cuthbert’s St into St Cuthbert’s St had Cuthbert’s the highest sales of United the in society co-operative any Kingdom. 1913 farming operation St Cuthbert’s starts St Cuthbert’s 1912 laundry business St Cuthbert’s starts St Cuthbert’s In In the early years of the their sign to afternoon Saturday stated Association, a on come members had to names in the dividend book against then would they which them, to credited the sum the treasurer. from receive older for difficulties caused This even not could who members write their own names, and who would invariably claim that they had forgotten their glasses and so were unable to their write to enough well see names. As membership increased, a new method of paying dividends had dividend 1885, In devised. to warrants were introduced, be which did the away need with for signatures. members’ The paying paying The of dividends areas areas served by other societies were demanding that open shops the in these areas Association Scottish too. Section The of the Co-operative Union recommended amalgamation as the only cure for the problems of overlapping. While some were societies unwilling option, to discussions opened between consider St this Cuthbert’s and District Co-operative Society, which the Northern had separated from St Cuthbert’s in 1866, leading to the union of the two societies in 1900. success Financial largest the was Cuthbert’s St 1909, By co-operative society During in its Scotland. Association had firstpaid out £3,646,726 fifty1912, By members. its to dividends in years, the Park 1911 Amalgamation of St Cuthbert’s & Norton Cuthbert’s Amalgamation of St Cuthbert’s of St Cuthbert’s Amalgamation and the Northern District With the expansion of co-operation in the Edinburgh area, the question of societies’ overlapping inevitably territories arose. Cuthbert’s, Members for of example, St living in Improving staff conditions Improving Among the improvements to conditions during this period was the staff institution in 1885 of a weekly to half- benefits Other Tuesday. a on off day staffwere social gatherings and grants for excursions. Shop further reduced in 1914, hours with shops week. a nights three were 6.30pm at closing That sameyear, a motion was passed by members that all employees of the Association should be encouraged to join a trade union. of coal. Avenue. production. store in 1899. District which included 1900 chickens for egg farming operation horses for tending Left: Staff from the Left: Staff successful laundry the fields, cows for milk production and Top right: A drawing A right: Top their truck with bags business in Chesser Amalgamation of St Above: St Cuthbert’s Above: St Cuthbert’s of Tynecastle drapery Tynecastle of Cuthbert’s & Northern Cuthbert’s Top left: Interior of the left: Interior Top coal department filling 8 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION May. to September from weekly meeting area, Scotmid the in branches guild eight still are there years, fifty past overthe considerably fallen has branches of number the Although branches withamembershipofabout1,500. Cuthbert’sSt thirty over were there 1959, By (Southern). 1907 and Two(Eastern) 1905 society. in formed were District branches more Northern the by established was branch a as time same the about 1896 January in formed was Guild the of (Central) Cuthbert’s branch St first The of the Women’s Guilds inScotland’. Guild was formed in 1892 under the title ‘The Association their right to equality. The Scottish Co-operative Women’s and society in role their of women informing principles, its to true held has movement Guild the years, 120 over Co-operativeWomen’s the For1883. in up set was Guild, The Women’s League for the Spread of Co-operation, later Women’s Guild The spread co-operation of History of the Scottish Co-operative Women’s Co-operative oftheScottish Isa MMcNair OBE, History GuildDiamondJubilee, 1892-1952 but innoneisthere agreater senseoflove and friendship. In fewwomen’s organisations isthere more criticism, photograph. the centreof are seatedin Cuthbert’s President and JackMoffat, St National President 1952. IsaMcNair, Diamond Jubileein Guild celebratetheir of theWomen’s Above: Members ooeaie at mmes lce t Edinburgh to elected Town members Council. Party saw soon Co-operative Association The Party. Co-operative the join Association the that motion a to majority substantial a by agreed members the measures, taxation anti-co-operative opposed, until in May 1933, angered by the Government’s members to the quarterly meetings – and was almost always that could be guaranteed to bring out large numbers of the issues two only the were dividend the loweringof possible the and that – decades following the over times various at another or form one in raised be to was activity political in Association’sinvolvement the possible of question The politics. in part majority any take large not should Association a the that by decided Cuthbert’s St of the However,members 1897. in Conference Co-operative Perth the at made been first had should which proposal a Parliament, Cuthbert’s in movement St of co-operative the member of that representation support a proposed meeting, Association quarterly the 1900 April the At Cuthbert’sSt Party andtheCo-operative SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 9 The spread of co-operation spread The Edinburgh. Congress in Above: Co-op Right: Education Edinburgh Castle. Committee visiting the war memorial at

for the for London 1859 first time in

committee committee An education committee was set up in 1901. January included the Early organisation ventures and training of an adult choir choirs, as and well as book-keeping, first orchestra aid and history and two classes. Later activities included country dancing and junior elocution classes, groups children’s and youth clubs, this of function and name The society. dramatic a and Relations Member the to 2001 in changed committee Committee whose remit Society. the was to members new recruit to to help and arrange events members’ Education Education Big Ben ring KEY EVENTS The chimes of The 10 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION the value oftheAssociation’s farmsbecameever more obvious. Britain, to coming ships food the of many destroyed U-boats German and years, fourth and third its movedinto war the As service to the people of Edinburgh by keeping a brake on prices. invaluable an provided Association the continued, emergency the As charging. were traders private many what 150% than as lower much as were prices store war, the into week One St Cuthbert’s also kept its prices down in the face of this panic. devised a‘fair shares’ scheme. could carry away, in response to they which as the management much quickly as up buy to Cuthbert’sstores St into crowded members Association shortages, against themselves safeguard particular in to being anxious different: no were public general flour the And demand. and sugar war, of declaration the following morning Monday the on warehouse grocery SCWS the besieged buyers and managers come, to shortages possible of Afraid panic-buying. and – panic was there 1914, August 4 on Germany on war declared Kingdom United the When of Thewar effects 1914-1927 World War I 1914 starts Women admittedtothe Board ofManagement 1923 St Cuthbert’s opensthe Port Hamiltonbakery Sir Arthur Conan Arthur Sir Doyle wasDoyle born 1900. department storein of BreadStreet Above: The exterior KEY EVENTS KEY 1925 1859 unco-operativeness Glasgow. in match football a to go to lorry Cuthbert’sSt a of use the allowed were employees Association some note, co-operative more and brighter a On demolished again! that the work that had been carried out should be demand to as far so went three-month plasterers the stoppage, the during stage one At what. do should who about plasterers the and masons the to a halt once again, this time by a dispute between brought be to it for only StreetBreademporium, the of extension the on resumed work years, war the during activity building on hold-up a After StCuthbert’s opensthe dairy inPortHamilton 1927 Co-operation & Co-operation St Cuthbert’s funeral service begins 1927 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 11 1914-1927 equipment for of the milk – in pasteurisation the co-operative use of which the societies pioneers in Scotland. The Association had high received praise from Edinburgh’s been of a lot and Health of Officer Medical favourable publicity which no doubt had a large part to play in making the dairy servicewith consumers. popular bottles, milk for charged Cuthbert’s St a policy which seems to have successful as been their losses were much smaller than those in societies provided who milk bottles free of charge. A separate dividend on milk was also introduced in 1927. By dairy 1959, had the a daily output of gallons of milk. 12,000 Also established in funeral service. Association’s 1927 was the Above right: Above left: An Above left: Semple Street. A horse hearse A headquarters at Hamilton bakery. Hamilton in 1927. interior shot of the outside the funeral milk process in Port Top: A drawing of Port A Top: were first admitted to the St Cuthbert’s Cuthbert’s St the to admitted first were of management in 1923. board Further widening of business A dairy was opened next to the Port Hamilton bakery in 1927, with Port Hamilton bakery Hamilton Port opened was bakery Hamilton Port The on 25 March 1925. building A with four-storey entrances from streets, four almost fully automatic, and with an initial handling a capacity much very was it week, of a sacks 2,250 from delegations many and showpiece other co-operative societies came to see it in action. The bakeries atHigh Riggs and Laurieston continued operate, to but it was decided that the Fountainbridge bakery should converted into offices. be W D Gready, St Cuthbert’s President, retirement speech in 1924 retirement President, St Cuthbert’s W D Gready, has extended, branched out, and widened its activities as has St Cuthbert’s. its activities as has St out, and widened has extended, branched There is no firm in the city and no co-operative society in the United Kingdom, that United society in the is no firm in the city and no co-operative There Having been admitted to membership to admitted been Having of the Association in 1864, women Women admitted to the board the board to admitted Women of management The price of success The With matters attendance at the quarterly meetings going of the Society fell to away, the extent so that one well, member lamented that the most bring now would that thing only threat a was meetings to out members of the dividend being reduced. The most successful SocietyThe in Britain In 1923, St highest Cuthbert’s annual had sales operative society in Britain, the although of any it was only the fifth largest society in co- terms of members. 12 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION scheme foremployees 1929-1950 superannuation the Associationwascharging. what match to prices their drop would competitors that and Edinburgh in prices regulate to Cuthbert’sStpower example, the and had size recognised its by that, was it 1937 In products. meat by later jam, months and few bacon, a followed eggs, butter, cereals, – commodities basic some of price the reduce to decided was it and issue, the resolved finally sales falling and afford to pay higher prices and wait for large dividends. In 1933 competition but that proposal had been voted out by the majority cut, of members, were who could dividends and prices both if members lower-paid the of interests high or dividends. During the prices war, low it had have been suggested that to it would desirable be in the more was it whether – years for off and on Association the bothered had that issue another of resolution the saw 1933 Price reductions of 90 staff and a dozen policemen. Saturday night was the distribution night. was an immense task, requiring the hiring of the Music Hall, and the presence In 1929, a total of £354,000 was paid out in dividends. Paying the dividend 70 years on exhibition drew some125,000visitors. the days, nine Over April. of beginning and March of end the at Market Waverleythe Cuthbert’sSt in by on put below) (pictured exhibition the was 1931 of event outstanding Association’sview,the the Fromof point A celebration ofco-operation one ofthelargestglassfrontages inBritain. had it time, the at city the Uniquein church. former a of site the Street,on Bread in store furnishing new a of opening the was 1937 of spot bright The A church becomesastore superannuation schemeforemployees in1934. a of introduction the with came conditions staff in improvement further A Employees’ superannuation scheme Introduction of 1934 World War IIstarts 1939 First womanelected Margaret Bain president, Mrs 1942 the first woman president the first Margaret Bain president. was elected awoman history in theAssociation’s for thefirsttime not until1942that 1923. But itwas management in to theboard of in 1864and the Association membership of been admittedto Women had Another war produced a film indicating how the organisation had organisation grown initsfirst90 years. the how indicating film a produced also Association The Street. Ponton in shop Cuthbert’s St original the of replica a was attractions many the of that One Festival. exhibition Edinburgh the during Co-operation’weeks two for of ran ‘Cavalcade a with anniversary 90th its celebrated Cuthbert’s St 1949, In The ‘Cavalcade ofCo-operation’ who hadlosttheirlives inthetwo World Wars. 1950 as a memorial to those employees of the Association in Polwarth Terrace was finally opened towards the end of Association’sWelfarethe Houseemployees. for facilities educational and welfare for premises of purchase the for Cuthbert’sSt of £10,000 members granted the 1946, In of Opening Welfare House smaller branches. Nicolson the at providedstaff was for Streetprotection and shops, and Street Bread the underneath customers and staff for erected were zones Safety minutes. two in evacuated be could staff entire the which into premises, Fountainbridge the at customers. built were and shelters Underground staff action for shelters and appropriate provide to taken the troops, was as line firing in much the as almost be could cities the in civilians that At the outbreak of the Second World War, it was recognised commences workwith St Cuthbert’s asamilkman Sean Connery 1944 St Cuthbert’s first self-service shop 1949 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 13 1929-1950 Self-service shops St Cuthbert’s St was Cuthbert’s among the pioneers of self-service shopping in Scotland, branch Street Dundee the at self-service in experiment first the saw 1949 and (pictured below), followed not long after by the conversion of the Picardy branch to the same newshopping. method of Street in first the opened Cuthbert’s St 1959 in this, from Developing Scotland in Leven Street (pictured above), just around the corner from the site of the store original in St Street, where Cuthbert’s Ponton business first earlier. began 100 years during the move to the new offices Newbridge in in 2005. (This material can at Fountainbridge now be found in an Connery former headquarters archive archive in the National safes at the Association’s was one of hundreds of was. His employment card historic documents and photographs that were discovered discovered in three huge but Sir Sean Connery once Bond, 007, as a co-op milkman, milkman, co-op a as 007, Bond, It It may be hard to imagine James Thomas Sean SeanThomas Willie Hamilton’s football boots football Hamilton’s Willie Sean Connery was a good talented enough footballer, to have played professionally had he wanted to friends do so. Sean’s of One He however. Cuthbert’s, St for play did when he was worked Willie for Hamilton, St Cuthbert’s and the story is told dairy, a driver with the Association’s Cuthbert’s, St for play to due was Sean when day one that he found he wear couldn’t his own boots – perhaps he had mislaid them – so he borrowed Willie Hamilton’s boots for the match. They were brand-new boots Willie had and paid £1 for them. Unfortunately feet Sean’s were bigger than and Willie’s, by the end of the match the boots had burst and were one ruined. of Perhaps the footballer. became a professional he never reasons Library of Scotland.) The records show that in July 1944, July in that show records The Scotland.) of Library at the age of 13, Sir Sean started as a barrow worker shillings 21 paid was at he which for dairy, Association’s the in 1948 to a do week. He left his Cuthbert’s St National Service, but returned the following year and worked as a milk horseman, this time for the much-improved wages in again Cuthbert’s St left Sean Sir week. per 6d 15s £3 of 1950, soon to pursue an acting career. 14 horses andcoaches forthe Queen’s visittoEdinburgh St Cuthbert’s providesthe SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION ooeaie oeet a so t aot ay f the recommendations. of The many adopt recommendations. to slow 51 was movement co-operative comprising other the and co-operative for England and Wales single (plus one a for Scotland) recommending one published; reports two were there years, four After self-service. there of were beginning time the and rationing of Atthat end the following retailing in in growth. changes huge halt experiencing ever was first its movement co-operative the upin1955 because set was Commission Co-operative first The Commission Report 1959 Co-operative drivers, suitablyattired, actedasfootmenanddrivers. procession from Holyrood Palace the to St Giles’ in Cathedral. St Cuthbert’s part took rounds, milk from taken all horses, coach sixteen and saddled Six 1953. in Edinburgh of Duke the HRH and Queen the HM of Visit State for the Cuthbert’s St by provided were horses and Coaches The Queen’s State Visit to Edinburgh 1950-1975 1953 celebrates its St Cuthbert’s Centenary 1959 St Cuthbert’s receives the prestigiousRoyal 1965 Warrant Cuthbert’s transport Queen visitsSt department 1966 with animageofahandshake on it. badge celebratory special a included which in, came they as bag’ ‘goodie a given was Everyone rides. children the gave which horses, and carriages Association’sthe things other featured among day The Prison. from far not site a on stood which Stadium, Stenhouse at held day gala a children’s was finale Centenary The valued at10s. parcels goods with pensioners age old providing and voucher 10s a 1959 in members new giving Edinburgh, of six city the providingthroughout seats ornamental Fountainbridge, at stone the into seal the inlaying and plaque a erecting by years co-operation of 100 celebrated Cuthbert’s St Cuthbert’sSt Centenary, 1959 Cuthbert’s &Hillwood Amalgamation ofSt 1966 Society SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 15 1975 Provident Society Cuthbert’s & Cuthbert’s Amalgamation of St 1950-1975 Changing markets With the onset of sourcing cheaper and global more ubiquitous use, car ‘the one-stop of shop’ efficiency supermarket shopping popularity. grew Planning in law relaxation allowed the massive penetration retailers of into out-of-town park sites in the 1970s and 1980s, centres. impacts on town catastrophic with Top left: HM the Queen visiting Edinburgh in 1953. Top Exhibition photograph of the St Cuthbert’s A Left: celebrating its Centenary with specially designed Centenary logo with image of handshake on it. Transport Archie Prentice, Above, right to left: Manager walking with HM the Queen and Lord and Provost Duncan Mackay Weatherstone Society President in 1966. George Gay, Society 1972 Amalgamation of St Cuthbert’s & Crofthead Cuthbert’s 1971 St Cuthbert’s & St Cuthbert’s Amalgamation of Gorebridge Society Computerisation April 1970 saw a movesignificant into the modern world with the introduction of a computer to the Association’s Head Office, along with new a post of Manager. Data Processing This completely changed the then, all Before operated. the ledger work and calculations way came tape punched the of reels now office whereas hand, by done were numbers share customers’ with stores the from office the to tapes these from data The them. on encoded purchases and was then fed without into the directly the need computer, for operators to key this it meant that in. fewer Naturally, staffwere needed in the office, and the number gradually 100. than fewer to 300 about from fell 1970 Association Introduction of computers within the

Society 1968

Amalgamation of St

Coach Painters to HM the Queen to Painters Coach (no other Warrant Royal transport the prestigious department received 1965, the Association’s In Duke of Queen and the the year, The following this) for Coach Painting. co-op had achieved four- a with transport presented was department, Queen the and Cuthbert’s St visited Edinburgh department at The coach painting and coach hire wheeled game wagonette for use at Balmoral. came to an end. therefore Warrant 1994, and the Royal closed in December Angle Park Cuthbert’s & Portobello Cuthbert’s The union of the Leith Provident Society Society Provident Leith the of union The an en- at not first was Cuthbert’s St and mem- Leith some with one, happy tirely Cuth- in a St to shop never vowing bers settled. dust the time in but store, bert’s Portobello and Leith Provident Provident and Leith Portobello Societies join St Cuthbert’s In 1968, the Co-operative Portobello Society transferred to St Cuthbert’s, by later years the seven Leith followed Provident Society (which was estab- lished in 1878). There was now only Edinburgh. in society co-operative one 16 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION n n h mmre o is many its of memories satisfied customers. the in on lives it Cuthbert’s – But history. into St disappeared short of name for famous the ‘Scotmid’ – Society Co-operative Midland named Scottish being the association new The growth and to extend trading areas. This merger was made to ensure future Motherwell. of Dalziel Society Co-operative the with forces join should 1981, January Cuthbert’sSt thatagreed was history,it when in its came however, in merger most The significant organisation. larger a to belonging of benefits the many recognised with have amalgamationmembers whosesocietiessmaller its by strengthened been inception, has Cuthbert’s its St since years the Over 1981: Anew Society and anew name Kilwinning Society, in1998. and Tayside,Strathaven North the is The latest society to transfer to Scotmid in 1996. Society in Bonnybridge the and Society 1994, Prestonpans the 1991, in Society Uddingston the 1985, in Bo’ness the Societies in 1982, the Penicuik and Society Lothian West the the Carluke and Law Society in 1981, Scotmid: with forces join to flocking Scotland central throughout societies were other saw 1990s and 1980s the made, approaches original little the when been Dalziel had with merger a for enthusiasm there Although transfer to Scotmid More societies Scotmid today”. at shopping proudly of “Tomorrow’sway boasted: the leaflet rightly and As efficiency. greater and quicker service both promising operate, would checkout of kind new this how customers to explain to produced specially was leaflet A receipts. till printed and points, nowpurchasestill of at barcodes,scanning – automatic granted for much very take all we something of stores Scotmid into introduction the saw also year same That stores, refurbished Portobello. and newly Dalry Chesser, Trendcentres,at called of opening the saw 1985 and trendsetters Trendcentres Chesser Avenue Trendcentre store built ontheoldlaundrysite SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 17 three three times as large as and shop DALCO the potential customers had to walk past the get store to to DALCO, the followed followed not long afterwards, opened by personality the Michael Parkinson, and television was an equally great success. not Unfortunately, long after, the local authority gave permission to Fine was store Fare new this since for and site, adjacent the the on superstore construction of a writing was clearly on the wall for the co-op closed a few later. years shop as it In response to such competition, the Managing Secretary of the Dalziel Society, Mr Bert Hetherington, acting on the advice and vision he had gained from a Midland Co-op approached visit in all Stoke-on-Trent, twelve to the co-operative societies in central Scotland with a view to creating a ‘Scottish Midland Co-operative Society’. The Cuthbert’s. St was from he received only reply On the formation of the new Society, Mr Hetherington retired and Mr Joe , the became the first CEO of the united Scotmid. CEO of St Cuthbert’s, Bert Hetherington, Managing Secretary of DALCO, 1980 Bert Managing Secretary Hetherington, of DALCO, This is the way forward for us... This is the way forward 1981: A new Society and a new name a new and Society A new 1981: The first moves towards the historic merger Motherwell, came from not Cuthbert’s. Edinburgh. St after year a just The1860, in founded was DalzielSociety Co-operative By the mid-1970s, the Society had a turnover in of excess £11 million per annum, and and comprised both retail sections. manufacturing Thesection retail included shop, fish a 11 shops, food two drapery three shops, shoe three shops, baby shops, two furniture stores, a paint and shop Customers and were also a served pharmacy. by wallpaper four a also was There vans. bread two and groceryshops mobile was there side manufacturing the On department. catering a bakery (the original Society’s bakery was destroyed in a fire inApril 1890, at an estimated cost of £1,800), ameat factory and a boot factory. Faced with increasing competition, the Society decided that a the two-storey drapery store Wishaw, in Hill Street, building, should be first converted the on drapery a and floor ground the on supermarket to DALCO of name trading comprise the given was a store new This grocery floor. success, a with great sales far what beyond had and proved Parade Brandon in store DALCO second A expected. been Dalziel Co-operative Society 18 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION Scotmid &Carlukeand on asusual. but the horses, with special non-slip studs fitted to their horseshoes, just carried the Fahrenheit,Society’s degrees milk roundsmen 20 had all sorts as of trouble lowwith the diesel-powered as floats, were temperatures when winter, severe advantage over milk floats was their reliability in winter. During one particularly Aside from being more economical to run than motor vehicles, the horses’ great their stallsonthesecondfloor. to way own their made they where stables the to back led and carts the from After the empty crates had been returned to the dairy, the horses were unhitched midday. about finished and 6am around started day horses’ working milk The guest was Roy Rogers’ horse, Trigger, when they both visited Edinburgh. asthe Royal Canadian Mounted Police (the Mounties). Another famous equine EdinburghannualMilitarytheTattoo, visitorsappearingin ofhorses such the provided accommodation foralso They forces.policeGlasgow Edinburghand to the Royal Family and the Household Cavalry, as well as training horses for the hundredoverahorses,stable twoblocks. homedstables in The supplied horses and children alike. Around the beginning of the twentieth century, Scotmid had The milk horses were commona sight about the city, and favourites years.with adults hundred a over for Edinburgharound and in milk-cartspulled Horses saysEnd ofanera-Scotmid andhorses goodbye to itsmilk-carts Amalgamation of Law Society 1985-1994 1981 Scotmid &West Lothian and Bo’nessSocieties Amalgamation of 1982 Scotmid &Penicuik Amalgamation of 1985 Society Cuthbert’s stables. photographed inSt Rogers’ horse Trigger Above right:Roy Baxter. photographed byColin in Edinburgh best-selling postcard our Trigger inthe Manager, and Macdonald, Stable Above left:Jimmy Stenhouse. delivering milkin with Mickiethehorse milkman/coachman, Top: Billy Angus, KEY EVENTS KEY Billy theKid Billy was born 1859 scanning commences in Scotmidstores Till pointbarcode 1985 offered by the Society. being still were that facilities carriage repair the and the service for coach-hire publicity useful Scotmid, providing with remain to were horses that four the with along owners, their with horses eight the of parade a and on Saturday 2 February, there was homes for the horses were soon found, and owners new Suitable England. of south the as away far as from some country, the over all from in poured dairy was released, offers for the horses the of closure impending the of news the as As soon by difficult. not was required Society longer eight no the horses for homes new Finding special occasions. for other and weddings kept for hire, carriage were horses Four homes. new to off went horses twelve the of eight and doors, their closed stables the Cuthbert’s St The in UK. the but of whole Edinburgh in just not deliveries, milk horse-drawn the last very saw 1985 January 26 carts. Saturday horse-drawn by delivered be Society, but the milk would no longer Wholesale Co-operative the by taken over were milk-rounds Scotmid’s the Morrison Street dairy had to close. deliveries, milk doorstep for demand in fall consequent a and shops from directly cartons in milk their people buying more and more with Sadly, two booksandafilmabouthis life. of subject the was 1970s the in and time, all of the horse drum famous probably most was He Guards. Life the of band regimental the in years horse. drum many for served army he Cicero, Renamed an become to careers changed him!), noticed first who herself Majesty Her was it that say (some Cavalry member Household but, the a of by Mile spotted Royal been having the down milk delivering life working his began who skewbald Irish be imposing must an Paddy, famous most the has Cuthbert’sowned, St horses the all Of Paddy joinsthearmy Retirement ofmilk 1985 horses SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 19 1994 Closure of Coach Painting & Hire Dept 1985-1994 £11,200; some hundred years later, cost building the of refurbishment the Scotmid £1,000,000! facilities of credit Withdrawal Credit facilities to source of members, no little agonising the in early the years of sometimes a St threat to its Cuthbert’s cash finally withdrawn in 1996. flow, were and 1992 products in-store The Co-operative are the first to introduce Fairtrade Below: Scottie the new identity in the Scotmid dog helped press, television and in-store point of sale. to advertise Scotmid’s to advertise Scotmid’s Society 1991 Amalgamation of Scotmid & Uddingston limousines for VIP transfers covering all sporting Edinburgh. locations in 100 years of inflation 100 years It is interesting to compare what cost it to refurbish the Fountainbridge building in 1988 with the alterations cost made of a alter To century the Fountainbridge building earlier. in the late 1880s cost St Cuthbert’s New corporate identity corporate New The summer of 1986corporate identity for the Society and saw a new the start of a more unified marketing strategy. As part of this, to point up the Society’s new image, a ‘Scotmid introduced was ‘Scottie’) (named dog’ in television press, and point- in-store of-sale advertising. Office 1988 Refurbishment of Fountainbridge Head

1985

tested on animals

refurbishment In 1988 refurbishment of the Fountainbridge there offices, was mainly introduce to proper a computer networking major heating. and Amazingly, better the work carried was out without the office out. having to move staff Fountainbridge Fountainbridge Thomas McKnight, the Manager Transport at the time 24 52-seater coaches for all BBC and co-ordinated Commonwealth media staff and six Commonwealth Games 1986 Commonwealth Scotmid was proud the to handle BBC’s all transport throughout requirements the Games that were held in Edinburgh Commonwealth 1986. and early August during July An end to animal testing An end to Always at the forefront of moves to stores its in offered products the make more ethical, Scotmid was delighted when the Co-operative announced that after 1985 no Society Wholesale co-op brand toiletries or household products or their ingredients would be tested on animals. The Co-operative announces that no own brand toiletries are 1985-1994 20 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION Scotmid &Prestonpans 1995-2004 netet n mreig saw marketing of and stream investment dedicated A true potential. its towards moving begin and allowed this small business to flourish shops. Society the by afforded 25 resources The had by chain the bought Scotmid, When retailer. and beauty health 1980s, discount the a as in operating Ayrshire in family Kerr the by founded was Semichem Society’s history. was another landmark moment in the 1995 in business, family-run small a landmark century, the acquisition of Semichem, historical twentieththe of half latter the during significant societies most Society’s the Dalziel was Scotmid into and St Cuthbert’s the of amalgamation the While comesonboard Semichem Amalgamation of 1994 Society 25 Semichemstores Scotmid acquires Scotmid acquires 1995 business. the of area trading the extending to were acquisitions view a with Scotland outwith sourced potential Scotland. in New city and town major every covering stores, 80 grown include had to operation the 1999 By high street andhouseholdname. Northern Ireland and become a major across and Scotland of cities and rapidly towns the expand Semichem operating 27stores. was NorthernIreland,which in chain buying the Options health and beauty by business Semichem the Society enlarged the 1999, of middle the In Options Scotmid &Bonnybridge Amalgamation of 1996 Society Broxburn. Brown FuneralHome, room at Thomas Below: The service the logoin1990s. Livingston displaying Semichem storein Above: Exteriorof Closure ofnon-food department outlets 1997 numbers to eight, opening a new new a inArmadale, Westservice Lothian. opening eight, to numbers home funeral the its 2008, expanded division December In 2004. in 1999, and Dundas Fyfe of Motherwell in Brown Thomas of firm Broxburn community, the Society purchased the the to services funeral its Expanding Funeral Directors Scotmid & Tayside, Strathavenand Amalgamation ofScotmid Kilwinning Society 1998 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 21 2004 outlets from SCS Scotmid buys 13 ised and consolidated into Wakefield. was sold in M Septem- & Toiletries S UK. ber 2008 to Sert and Spar Alldays As a continuation of its move the into convenience-store 2003 Scotmid market, acquired eight Alldays in stores from the Co-operative Group. Further expansion in this field came in June 2004 with the purchase nine Spar of outlets in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife from Sokolowski (SCS). Stores Convenience 2004 1995-2004 stores from the Co-operative Group Scotmid buys 8 Alldays Scotmid buys 8 Scotmid. Toiletries depot in depot in Toiletries Below: The M & S Below: & Night before and Wakefield, Yorkshire. Wakefield, Above: Morning Noon after refurbishment by 2003 & beauty wholesaler The Society acquires M & S Toiletries, a health Toiletries, M & S aims of the deliver recommendations commission that would were to enable the co-operative movement to survive in the modern whilst marketplace still delivering its social goals, to resist the threat of demutualisation and to ensure on-going co-operation among co-operatives. Most 60 of recommendations the made by Commission have been adhered to by the movement. the co-operative M & S Toiletries M & S In 2003, Scotmid acquired M & a health and beauty Toiletries, S whole- sale business with a number of retail stores, which had a turnover of £90m and operated out of Livingston and Wakefield, England. Afterthe Semichem into stores retail of tion integra- wholesale supply chain was reorgan- 1999 Brown in Broxburn The Society’s funeral The Society’s division buys Thomas division buys

1999 Northern Ireland geographical expansion acquisition marks major acquisition In August 2004, Scotmid acquired the Dundee-based chain Morning Noon & Noon founded Morning Night, in 1991 by the late & Night. Eddie Thompson,who was for a time alsoowner and chairman of Dundee United, operate around 50 local purchase The Scotland. throughout stores convenience of Morning Noon & Night, described at was the Scotland’, time in deals as retail significant most the of ‘one the number a major expansion for Scotmid, increasing widening and 120 to Scotland in stores Society’s the of the geographical spread, taking the total workforce to 4,000. over Morning Noon & Night Morning Noon 27 Options stores in The Society acquires The second Co-operative Commission Co-operative second The was established in help 2000 from then Prime Minister Tony with the Blair, who was asked to create sponsor and a commission. The main Co-operative Report Commission Modernisation Scotmid’s all 2000, and 1996 Between non-food department outlets, such as the drapery departments, and its works department were closed – bold a decision on the Society, and one part which marked of the of the modernisation of the beginning the organisation. A major aspect of this to was move modernise a switch from to convenience stores in the face of increasing competition as such chains supermarket large from Asda. and 22 Scotmid acquires50 Morning

Noon &Nightstores from SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION and set up comprehensive till prompt and audit and prompt comprehensivetill up set and stores all in sale age-related of issued point They 2009. September in legislation new of duction intro- the to on due alcohol for sales age-restricted work to started Scotmid’s Department 2004, Compliance In correctly. conducted are cigarettes and alcohol as that such ensure sales age-related to staff store its training of front fore- the at been has Scotmid years, many For responsibility Social 2005-2009 Eddie Thompson 2004 division buysDundas Fyfe ofMotherwell Scotmid’s funeral 2004 shop floortomanagerlevel. from staff developing of aim term long the with and estate food the within operation of sistency con- the improve to developed was which emy’ Acad- ‘The opened Society the 2009, May In legislation. new this on staff 3,500 over trained partment TrainingDe- the 2009, and 2008 In facilities. new purpose-builthead The Societymovesto office inNewbridge 2005 I’ve gottoask It’s myjob 25? Under for ID Left: The officialopening ex-President BillSmith restricted salesbadge of The Academy with Alan Smith,sonof cutting theribbon. Above left: Age- House head Hillwood Above: Start ofrefurbishment office. of storesinthefood 2007 . estate some difficult decisions had tobe had made instreamlining thebusiness. decisions difficult some consequence a As 2005. in business the restructuring of process the began wentmillion, £20 basics’to ‘back and over of loss of a in resulting aperiod acquisition following Society, The Financial Turnaround in 1966. Cuthbert’s St with amalgamated had Hillwood Co-operative Society, which is named Hillwood office House after the local head new The Edinburgh. built head office atNewbridge outside end as the Society moved to an a purpose- to came Fountainbridge at based In November 2005, 125 years of being New officesin Newbridge the firstEthicalFairtrade The Societysponsors Fayre inEdinburgh 2007 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 23 2009 The Society announces record profits of £9 million “150 years on, this award shows that we carrying are out still operative the principles values in co- the way work.” we Hollis and Smallman, of Scotmid President The Society’s most importantaward was the Responsibility Scottish 2009. and Grocer’s Award 2008 in Scotmid to Social awarded which was two years in a row 2008 & 2009 Responsibility award 2005-2009 The Society wins Social 2008 Achievement Award Achievement The Society receives New Semichem identityNew refurbishment a started also and identity new a unveiled Semichem 2008, In their launched also Semichem estate. beauty and health the of programme first online store offering fragrances, cosmetics, household and electrical products. Fairtrade Long-Standing Scotmid’s business awards Scotmid’s Throughout the time they have been trading, both business prestigious won have Scotmid St Cuthbert’s awards. and In recent years, Scotmid has enjoyed significant successes at the Grocer Awards, annual competing against the Scottish best of Scottish March In stores. convenience 2009, the Society scooped four top awards, and collected also a awards. Commended Highly further four Store. Above right: Responsibility. Scottish Grocer Award for Social Award Bottom right: The Bottom right: Semichem store in Wallsend, England. Wallsend, programme from the play Stramash at the Above left: Poster and 2008 division opens a new The Society’s funeral The Society’s funeral home in Armadale funeral home in

2008 Unveiling of new Stooshie, Stooshie, performed at Fringe in the 2006, is set Edinburgh in in store 1959 just the before Centenary the celebrations, Festival former Bread Street and imaginatively recounts what the principal happens Parade mannequin when Mannequin Cuthbert’s St annual due forthcoming to appear in is knocked down by the a car and some of the ‘Divvie’ the at performed first Stramash, missing. goes money Fringe in 2008, is also set in the Bread Street store, but three years a later, week before the Visit State to 1962. in October of Norway Scotland of King Olav and then a ‘Stramash’! a and then Edinburgh co-op members have recently two trips memorydown lane Beaver, thanks to Irene enjoyed Bobby director, Cuthbert’s St former of daughter the Brown, with her plays Stooshie at at the Store. Stramash the Store and A ‘Stooshie at the Store’, Store’, the at ‘Stooshie A Semichem identity By By ‘raising the continuous the improvement, Society bar’ and through announced record million in 2009. profits of £9 The Society started to steps see on the first the 2007 road and to initiated recovery the refurbishment food in estate programme. included the introduction and bright This frontages, shop signs, fascia of new easily accessible sales floors and more chilled cabinets in store. By 2009, 51 stores were completed with this new format. 24 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION Scotmid today... nw etr wih lo ae the gave also which venture new a 2008, and 2007 in Fayre Christmas EthicalEdinburgh the sponsored also least the next three years. Scotmid has at for events Fairtrade Edinburgh the City sponsoring be Fairtrade will it and Directory, Edinburgh the of sponsor main the be to delighted was many other organisations. The Society and schools in Scotland events throughout Fairtrade supports Scotmid to beingFairtrade. movement co-operative own-brand coffee switched all branded 2003, In and products. products beers/wines/ composite sugar, fruits/juices, bananas, confectionery,spirits, coffee, categories: tea, main nine into fall stocked tostock now products Fairtrade The stores. its retailer in products Fairtrade major was first movement the co-operative 1992, the In years. of many champion for Fairtrade a been has Scotmid andFairtrade Scotmid rvs’ Aad o Bs Fairtrade Long-Standing Achievement. Best for Award Provost’s of ProvostLord the Grubb, George Lord Edinburgh, the from to proudreceive was Society the 2008, In plastic carrierbags!). Society’s the from away shoppers move to of attempt (part bags Fairtrade cotton own Scotmid’s purchase to able also were customers and sale, on sets Fairtradegift of variety large a and organic locally sourced gifts. Scotmid had recycled, sourced, Fairtrade, ethically in best bring very and the city together the of heart the in a marquee in place take Fayres The products. Fairtrade of range excellent Society an opportunity to showcase its 2007. Christmas Fayrein Edinburgh Ethical built stallatthefirst manning ourpurpose- our DukeStreetstore Scotmid staff from more control over theirlives. have and position their improve to them Itenables producers. weakest poorest, the against traditionally discriminates which trade, tional conven- of injustices the addresses Fairtrade price), market the than lowerfall never must (which prices sustainable pay to companies ing requir- By world. developing the in workers and farmers of for trade terms fair and sustainability, local conditions, prices, working decent better about is Fairtrade a nut-shell Fairtrade in SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 25 Scotmid today... Scotmid

The co-operative movement was also the first retail business to convert its own brand coffee, chocolate and tea to fair trade and prides itself in having over 190 products in its own brand fair trade range. This now includes items such as peanuts, fruit juices, beers, wines and spirits and many fair trade fruits when they are in season.

The Society has been a champion of fair trade formany years and we support fair trade events throughout Scotland in schools and many other organisations. We were delighted to be the main sponsor of the Edinburgh Fairtrade Reception. We have also just announced that we will be sponsoring the Edinburgh Fairtrade Steering Group’s main event until 2012.

As a member you can make a difference to these developing countries by buying fair trade products when possible.

difference

we can all make a

Scotmid believes in giving you quality products you can trust - for the right reasons.

Asconsumera owned organisation, weare well placed to campaign on behalf of our members andthewider community. Consequently, weare committed to providing full, honest and open information so that you can make informed choices about the products you choose when shopping.

We also believe in social responsibility and self help, so we naturally want a better deal for growersand producers indeveloping countries. This is why the co-operative movement became involved in fair trade in 1992, and is why we stock fair trade products in our stores. We are totally committed to fair trade which guarantees a better deal for producers and delivers social premiums which can be used to buildschools and hospitals and buy medicines. become part of something bigger society membership Area Committees and the MRC. Each MRC. the and Committees Area of the three Regional will have 12 members and will report Committees directly to the Board. their new remit As they will have part more of involvement with the members and will be responsible for progress the helping membership strategy to as well as participation in community- A budget in their region. based events will be allocated to Committee each which Regional will allow local more decisions to be funding made of on local the community events and the payment of dividend. a community Nominations and regional representatives will continue elections to take place for at AGMs and OGMs, but for the first time membersalso will have the opportunity to directly members. elect Board

From From 2001, received a new £10 voucher as members a gift. welcome In 2007, have the Society developed a new membership strategy which resulted in the redesigning application the of from material, membership all the Society’s form to the communications with welcome members to in-store pack and membership from marketing merchandise. December 2007, In the Society started a two- way communication with our membership by means of a biannual members’ magazine called Jigsaw, interviews, news which of events, competitions and includes vouchers. money-off shopping celebrity co-operative society The 21st century is membership. Membership the lifeblood of every co- brought but it was not operative society, until we were into the a new emphasis21st century on that Scotmid started to take a long, hard look at membership and what it meant to a modern society. co-operative the lifeblood of every of the lifeblood Membership Membership Two Regional Committees will also be also will Committees Regional Two formed to replace the East and West The changes include the creation of a members the serve to Committee new living in the north of Scotland. Over the increased has Scotmid years recent number of its stores in the north and that brings with it the opportunity to region. that in membership encourage Constitutional review Constitutional In October 2008, the members the Society agreed to a of constitutional review to modernise governance the structure. Society’s Thestarted process with a a number reconsideration of priority of areas the such roles as and structure of and the Member Area Relations Committees (MRC), Board size democracy. and Following member a special meetings in series September 2009, of the members approved the changes to the the Board. by recommended constitution which were 26 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION is given to all first-year undergraduate first-year all to given is sponsors the Food4Life booklet which Scotmid the Council, Edinburgh of City of Department Health Environ- mental the with collaboration In many youngsters toreceive fresh daily. fruit helps which Waves, Fruit as well as clubs, 30 contin- over support to Society ues the and schools in clubs breakfast establish help to ciety so- co-operative first the was Scotmid community groups. small to through right Executive tish with all areas of society from the Scot- working activities, community-based Nowadays Scotmid delivers a range of retailer. community convenience a being role as a important as just is this later years the 150 in and serves play it communities to part special a has it recognisedthat always Societyhas the From the earliest days of St Cuthbert’s, participation Scotmid’s community Scotmid today... et oha Plc Fres verbal Force’s as Police such Lothian projects West many of cost ing the print- absorbed has Society The ergy drinks and cereal bars on the day. the water,of bottles supplies and club en- advertise to leaflets and posters the prints also Society The school. ter af- afternoon Friday a on do to and fun positive something them gives club for young people to attend which Looze’ you ‘Booze a of up set the ing in Westdrinking support- by Lothian teen to has alternatives promote It helped communities. safer courage en- supports to order in projects and police many assists also Scotmid and vegetables tosample. fruit fresh free offering staff Scotmid and council both by run displays also are there burgh’swhere fairs, freshers’ Edin- at available are booklets time. These first the for home from away living are students these of many as food safety and easily prepared recipes on tips gives booklet This Edinburgh. in universities the of all at students in 2004. Commerce Chamber of Lothian by theWest to Scotmid presented award Community Below: Holyrood HighSchool. Bottom: FruitWave at to teendrinking. encourage alternatives you Loozeposterto Top right:Booze of Aquins. pupils fromSt Thomas smoothiebike with O’Brien onthe Top centre:Cardinal Scotmid. event sponsoredby Festival, acommunity Top left:BalernoMusic f hs dntos r mds, but modest, are donations these of Many funds. raise them help to tions giving by vouchers to local groups and organisa- shops has it where commu- nities the for concern its strates demon- Scotmid co-operative, a As driving. drink and drinking binge of dangers the on campaign Crimestoppers’ and campaign, initiative ban drinking 21 under workers their shop on abuse uh s elh etn, exercise, eating, healthy as such smoothie bike to promote issues promote to bike smoothie the bike. The Society uses the uses Society The bike. the five items of fruit a dayand a fruit of items five cycles someone when smoothies smoothiebike which makes fruit n 08 te oit buh a bought Society the 2008, In annual an gives also Society the these donations. groups have benefited from benefited have groups lyrus Gie n Scout and Guide playgroups, schools andcustomers. local to issues environmental Many apply. who days gala local all to £50 of donation SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 27 Scotmid today... Scotmid Scotmid’s support education for Scotmid’s Scotmid is a member project of pilot funded A Scotland. the Trust Education operative Board of CETS, the Co- trialling co-operative teaching resources authority areas in (Edinburgh, four Stirling, East local Ayrshire Borders) came and to an end in 2007, but forward from funding several bodies including and Scotmid has the allowed new Scottish staff to Executive new teaching recruitedbe materials to and be produced. The scheme will subsequently encompass all unitary authorities. Right: Health for by the Society to Right: John Brodie joined by volunteers, Joyce encourage Social sponsored events involved in various to raise funds for its Above: Society staff Above: Society staff designated charities. Marie Curie kiosk A kiosk at the Marie Curie Hospice in Edinburgh was opened in 2008 by John Brodie, CEO of Scotmid. The kiosk sells essential toiletries such as toothpaste, shampoo, shaving foam deodorant, and hair patients, brushes their families, to and staffthe at hospice. Theits and kiosk, the for funding £16,000 Society donated property division fitted out the kiosk fridge. a and point till a shelving, with TheSociety also raised £190,000 for in 2008. Curie Marie Burnett and Madeleine Coutts at the kiosk opening. Enterprise in schools. Wealth pack produced Wealth In In its 150th year, the Society raised over £150,000 for Typical charity fund-raising activities five charities. are: customer collection donations cans; staff through donations ‘dress down’ on days; staff takingin part 5k runs; and a Edinburgh; and Glasgow between sponsored bike ride a variety of store-based events from car washing to some more seasonally themed. Scotmid’s charity support Scotmid’s donated has Society the years the Over hundreds of thousands of pounds to charitable organisations. Each Scotmid year nominates a the In Year. the past Charity the Society has of Cancer Macmillan to donations made Support; Chest, Heart Scotland; & CHAS Stroke Hospice (the Association Scotland) Children’s and the Northern Hospice; Ireland and Marie Curie Children’s among others. Care, Cancer Scotmid today... SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION

28

With over 4,000 staff, Scotmid is now Top left: Staff at the Food retail Semichem one of Scotland’s biggest employers opening of the new Scotmid has over 130 community- With over 140 stores stretching Stockbridge store in and one of the country’s leading 2009. based food stores across Scotland. A from the Highlands to the Borders businesses. number of these are still branded and across to Northern Ireland, Bottom right: Semichem Livingston as Morning Noon & Night, part of Semichem is now a high street fixture shows off the new Scotmid Co-operative. offering customers constant savings brand. on everyday health and beauty and Below: The opening The Society is constantly investing in household products. of the reformatted its stores to respond to the changing store in market place, and has embarked Semichem is also part way through 2009. on a £40m, three-year investment an ambitious programme of ten new programme to refurbish and expand store openings in 2009 including a its estate. The fresh new format is now move into the North of England. to be seen in half of the estate, and the refit programme will continue throughout 2010. Scotmid has also started an ambitious programme of new store openings which will continue after its anniversary year.

SCOTMID IN NUMBERS 4,000 133 140 £350m Employees Food Semichem Annual Turnover as of November 2009 Stores Stores in 2008 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 29 150 Years since since Years Established St Cuthbert’s Cuthbert’s St

in 2008 £190,000 Raised Charity for and ethical service to the community, Funeral directorsFuneral funerals per year, our funeral division funeral our year, per funerals from Motherwell to Penicuik and a bringing real peace of mind to our their lives. providing providing a professional, efficient customers at these difficult times in memorial masonry service, we are in the country, conducting over 1,200 over conducting country, the in is very much a core business for Scotmid. justly proud of our reputation for Operating Operating eight funeral homes

As one of the major funeral directors Scotmid today... Scotmid Society Members 239,000 Top left: IT staff. left: IT Top The new right: Top commercial property development at Newbridge. The new Bottom left: funeral vehicle fleet in 2009. Bottom right: Staff review property plans. 189 Properties Commercial Commercial 240 Properties Residential Residential sought for flatsand new commercial Scotland. around sites various on space park, park, developed a 20,000 sq ft of a long-term plan for an office office adjacent to its head office in Newbridge. Newbridge. Planning Planning applications are also being

The Society has in addition, as part Per Year Per Funerals Funerals Performed Performed 1,200 8 Homes Funeral Funeral and enhance the net asset value of Property division traders. The residential portfolio throughout throughout Scotland with which it therefore department The Society. the plays an important role in the growth of Scotmid. extensive extensive portfolio of high-quality consists of flats, and concentrated is very much within Edinburgh commercial and residential propertiesand commercial residential multiples down to independent local mainly of retail units let to other manages to create a rental income rental market. rental retailers retailers ranging from major national where there is a thriving private sector private thriving a is there where The commercial portfolio consists The Property Department has an 30 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION Throughout 2009, the Society has Society the 2009, Throughout The staff were invited tocompete invited were staff The The Society has supported five supported has Society The 150th anniversary celebrations150th anniversary rf o fnriig vns have events fundraising of raft A Factor’ (a talent competition for stafffor competition talent (a Factor’ lso t Eibrh asn funds raising Edinburgh to Glasgow Sargent CLIC Research, Leukaemia year involving staff, members and members staff, involving year runs and the high profile sponsorship profile high the and runs in ‘Scotmid’s Strictly Got the Talent the Got Strictly ‘Scotmid’s in morale. customers. charities (Cystic Fibrosis, Alzheimer’s,Fibrosis,(Cystic charities of Scottish communities. Celebrations f ea fr ctad a yl from cycle a Scotland, for Pedal of our stores through to sponsored walks, ae en ed hogot the throughout held been have ae pae rm olcig as in cans collecting from place taken been celebrating 150 years at the heart for LeukaemiaResearch. Society for boost huge a and fun and Cash for Kids) in its 150th year. 150th its in Kids) for Cash and both was which Society) the across Scotmid today... 5t anvray u as t raise to also but anniversary 150th 5 yas f ooeaie activity co-operative of years 150 The grand finale to thecelebrations to finale grand The The Society was the main sponsor main the was Society The A 150th anniversary documentary was Edinburgh inSeptember. From the opening Church service at service Church opening the From rvs ad iy f Edinburgh of City and Provost n Nvme, h Scey was Society the November, 3 On oni a rcgiin f Scotmid’s of recognition as Council Hotel, Grosvenor the in Conference t uhets n dnug through Edinburgh in Cuthbert’s St was a charity ball on 7 November to November 7 on ball charity a was within Edinburgh. n h Ct Cabr b te Lord the by Chambers City the in celebrate the near end of the Society’sthe of end near the celebrate f h 20 C-prtv Party Co-operative 2009 the of present day. produced and showed the workings of the Society from 150 years ago to the to ago years 150 fromSociety the honoured to receive a Civic Reception funds forCLICSargent. in theRoyalMile. at theCityChambers Right: CivicReception the Talent Factor.’ ‘Scotmid’s StrictlyGot New Stevensonwin & BrianWard from Left: ChrisMcLaughin Scotmid’s charityball. Top right:Guestsat production. documentary 150th anniversary for partofthe store wastheset Top left:Kirkliston … andinto thefuture Society. ctad n o te co-operative the of and Scotland played have to proud is Scotmid Scotmid will continue to develop to develop to continue will Scotmid ih nme o nw n exciting and new of number a with new membership strategy,membership new Societythe it has enjoyed in the past. of As a part it serves. communities the of and members, its movement. After 150 years in business, et h nes f t csoes of customers, its of needs the meet continue in the future the success that f seil ouetr ad this and documentary special a of discount days for staff, the production eeomns i i wl st p to up set well is it developments, on even more significance in the years expects its community activity to take that its 150th year was well organised well was year 150th its that to special offers for customers, double h Scey s o sadn sil but still, standing not is Society the to come. rcue te oit hs ensured has Society the brochure, and celebrated by all involved in the in involved all by celebrated and n motn pr i te itr of history the in part important an SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 31 substantial property portfolio and a number of funeral businesses which 4,000 staff. over altogether employ I feel they proud that would the be city in established that immensely first which shoprecognised they them earlier this year with Reception, a Civic publicly acknowledging their contribution to Edinburgh. the City of We have been from passed the original the founders Society baton and of it the is our the organisation duty on to in pass better shape than we received it. My the vision future of Scotmid for is many more years as a business. co-operative successful independent Looking to the future... the to Looking John Brodie, Scotmid’s Chief Executive Officer Chief Executive Scotmid’s John Brodie,

hugely competitive world, still operate still world, competitive hugely the business in a way that is true to and principles. their values foundations the of benefit the have We they laid. fiveHowever, years agowe had to make some tough decisions in order to strengthen our foundations. We had to go ‘back to basics’ before we could build for the future. was This achieved by everyone together working and now the are strong to build foundations upon and take us years. forward in future What is particularly pleasing is that the Society trading profit recorded in our 150thyear. The its founders could have only dreamt that highest Street Ponton in store small first, their would have grown to an organisation with over 270 trading stores, a lifetime of the Society. lifetime of the Society. We are the custodians for such a shortspace of time within the are We by John Brodie by We are the custodians for such a short a such for custodians the are We space of time within the lifetime of the We can Society. never forget that we are charged with the responsibility of being able to hand this over business to future generations members and customers. of staff, As we reflect on 150Society, it enables years us to contemplate of the the endeavours of the St Cuthbert’s pioneers in building a 1859. co-operative society from Theynothing in started what were to a vision had they undoubtedly and times difficult create something to improve people’s in local communities. lives Life today in this time of is recession also difficult. Granted people are treated better but our to challenge build upon their is legacy and, in a John John Brodie trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant and worked eight years in practice before joining Scottish Society Midland as Financial Accountant 1993. in Co-operative After five years in that position,was he promoted to Head of Finance, and then depute CEO in 2000 with Society Secretariat duties added 2003. in He became Chief Society in 2005. Officer for the Executive 32 SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 1893–1896 1890–1893 1888–1890 1887–1888 1884–1887 1881–1884 1876–1881 1875–1876 1870–1875 1870 1869–1870 1869 1866–1869 1859–1866 Presidents Appendix

Mr JK Mr JM Mr R Mr JCF Mr JLochhead Mr JD Mr Mr Mr AScott Mr JB Mr Mr DE Mr AScott Mr JBorr T Cuthill W Galloway W Galloway W Henderson almain err ouglas ilne dgar rier owman 1927–1930 1926–1927 1920–1924 1916–1920 1914–1916 1910–1914 1906–1908 1903–1906 1900–1903 1899–1900 1896–1898 1924–1926 1908–1910 1898–1899

Mr JM Mr GRichar Mr J Mr Mr J Mr JB Mr GD Mr JB Mr JM Mr JM Mr GD Mr JM Mr GD Mr W DGeady W Young W Thomson W Thomson allinson acaulay ackenzie acaulay Taylor Taylor Taylor ennett ennett dson 1979–1994 1961–1979 1948–1961 1938–1942 1938 1936–1938 1934–1936 1933–1934 1930–1933 2005–now 1994–2005 1961 1944–1948 1942–1944

Mr HS Mr JPC Mr Mr G Mrs BG Mr JM Mr JM Mrs MB Mr Mr A Mr GH Mr HNK Mr JM Mr W Edmonstone W RSmith W Cruikshank W Mavor offat ackenzie ackenzie mallman ay ogg raham ain ronan ennedy Boards overtheyears. Bottom Right:Various Right: Boardin2009. Above: Boardin1929. SCOTMID CO-OPERATIVE 1859 - 2009 A CELEBRATION 33 Appendix rodie acmillan allace ird haw rench ick urrie T M Young T M T Blood Mr J R B Mr G M Mr Mr C B Mr Mr J D Mr D S Mr J C Mr R F Mr A M Mr J Cairns

1980–1989 2005–now 1938–1953 1953–1969 1969–1980 1989–1998 1998–2005 1922–1938 1911–1922 General Managers/ OfficersChief Executive 1873–1881 1881–1911 S cOTTISH midland co-operative Society Hillwood House, 2 Harvest Drive, Newbridge, EH28 8QJ tel: 0131 335 4400 www.scotmid.