Building record 2878/6/1 - Co-operative Society Offices

41 Station Road

Co-operative stores / offices
{1} The Desborough Industrial and Provident Co-operative Society Ltd Jubilee Souvenir 1863-1913 indicates that in 1898 the Co-operative offices moved from 1 High Street to 41 Station Road (need to check street number). This building survives today and has 'Desborough Co-operative Society Ltd' emblazoned on the frontage. Adjacent to this is another building belonging to the Co-operative society - the structure is of a distinctive design with architectural detailing. There is a date stone of 1903 on the structure and this would appear to be the 'new drapery shop ' opened by the society at this date. Both of these structures are still owned by the Co-op and the latter is still being used as a clothing store. The buildings do not appear to have been substantially re-modelled and there is a high potential that the 'new drapery shop' in particular survives in its original form.

{2} Dating from the first decade of the C20th cemtury when the Desborough Industrial and Provident Society was a dynamic entity within the local community these two buildings are he physical embodiment of that heroic phase in the Co-operative Society's history. Built of red brick that undoubtedly originated in the Society's own brickyards at Desborough they are an important statement of the level of economic self-sufficiency that was achieved by the Co-operative movement in its heyday.
The present condition of both buildings is a matter of concern and the need to identify a new and positive role for them is of paramount importance if they are to play theor deserved part in the heritage landscaoe of Desborough. Any adaptation of the buildings must not be overlook the scale they were built at as that is part of the self confidence of their architectural statement.

<1> Ballinger, J, 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Desborough (Industrial), (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN100502.

<2> Smith, D, 2004, An Historical Evaluation of No's 41-43 and 72 Station Road, Desborough, Northamptonshire, being properties owned by Desborough Co-operative Society, (unchecked) (Report). SNN104989.

Record last edited

Jul 15 2022 2:06PM