Stafford Co-op Department Store

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Date:2013

Description:In this photograph of Stafford Co-op Department Store, the location is the corner of Crabbery Street and Princess Street Precinct. There is a poster to the left of the entrance doors announcing this Store will close in 7 days.

In earlier years the Store formed part of the Stafford and Stone Co-operative Society Ltd and was located in the centre of Stafford. There is a commemorative stone dated 1932 above the Gaolgate Street entrance first floor windows.

In November 1963 an article by the Stafford Newsletter confirmed that the Society announced a giant new store costing over £150,000.00. It was expected that the work would take around 18 months. The new extension would have additional entrances in Crabbery Street, Princes Street Precinct and Stafford Street.

The newly extended and modernised Department Store contained many sections including a food hall, butchers, wine and spirits, bridal department, ladies fashions, menswear, footwear, drapery (curtain and dress materials) and cosmetics. There was also a chemist and household goods section located in an older part of the building in Crabbery Street; this was rebuilt at a later date. This area had previously formed part of the ‘Albert Hall’ Cinema/Theatre, (please see other Past Track images of the Albert Hall).

The Restaurant continued on first floor of the building in Gaolgate Street, it was refurbished at a later date and became known as the Flamingo Restaurant.

Initially on the new extension first floor there was a Co-op Bank, Co-op Insurance and Local Authority Area Health Offices. These organisations relocated at later dates.

A furniture and bedding section and administrative offices were located in a separate building in Salter Street, adjacent to the Vine Hotel. These sections relocated later to the main store to occupy areas vacated by the Bank, Insurance and Area Health Offices.

Over the years the Society merged with larger regional Co-operatives and finally became part of the Midlands Co-operative Society.

The Department Store closed on Friday 26 April 2013. The Express and Star published a front page article confirming that the 55,000 sq ft store was closing due to stiff competition from online retailers, with the loss of 73 jobs.