Back in Rochdale in 1844 a group of 28 men got together to open a shop that would treat customers fairly and trade honestly. They were workers, ordinary people, who were tired of seeing consumers exploited by greedy private traders who adulterated products and gave short measures.

The Rochdale Pioneers, as they are now known, were brave men. At the time many workers were badly treated with long hours, bad pay and terrible conditions - many had to spend what little they earned in their employers own stores and were further exploited. It took courage and foresight to take the first steps to establish their small shop in Toad Lane, but it was here that the modern day co-operative movement was born.

The Rochdale Pioneers decided that customers could become members. It was a revolutionary idea. These customer members could then share in any profits that were made and have a democratic right to have say in the way the business was run. The rules that they established are still hallmarks of co-ops throughout the world.

More recently in 2005 Ipswich & Norwich Co-op and Colchester & East Essex Co-op, merged to form the East of England Co-operative Society.

For a brief history of the recently merged Ipswich & Norwich  and Colchester & East Essex Societies please click on the appropriate link.