Our Brief History

The first Co-operative in Chelmsford - a coal club - was formed in 1847. Then, in 1867, Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society was established by a small number of employees of the London Road Iron Works: it was their intention to become "the Star of the County". The first shop was opened in Tindal Street and despite the economic problems of the 1870s the Society prospered to such an extent that its members soon decided to build a new store in Moulsham Street on the site of the present day Quadrant. Opened in 1881 by the author of "Tom Brown's School Days", Thomas Hughes.

The Countess of Warwick, a leading advocate for the Co-operative movement, opened an extension to the building in 1902. Year by year, the range of products increased. More shops were opened in other parts of Chelmsford and in the surrounding villages. The Society also acted as an agency for the Co-operative Building Society and the Insurance Society.

A Co-operative Women's Guild was established by the Society's membership in 1906 and an Education Committee, funded and elected by members was formed in 1925. The promotion of Co-operative principles was a key element of the Education Committee's work and, with the establishment of International Co-operative Day in 1923, it pursued its task vigorously. International Co-operative Day held on the first Saturday in July, was a grand affair for the whole community. From then until the Second World War up to a thousand children participated in the celebrations.

The children's parade started from the Society's premises in Moulsham Street and marched to its meadow in Coval Lane, popularly known as the "Co-op Field". Many of the children that joined the parade would dress up in costumes representing products, which had been manufactured by Co-operatives and purchased through the Co-operative Wholesale Society. When the parade arrived at the "Co-op Field", the cattle were chased away and everyone engaged in a variety of sporting competitions, country dancing and games. Best of all every child went home with a present of sweets, biscuits and lemonade. For the adults there were rousing speeches from the distinguished figures within the Co-operative movement.

Based on one of the historic Co-operative principles - concern for the community - the Women's Guild made its own impact within Chelmsford. During the First World War, with food shortages a serious problem, the Guild played its part in ensuring that food was shared fairly. Then, when unemployment became a social catastrophe during the 1930s, Chelmsford Star helped to alleviate some of the harshest cases of poverty by providing families with boots, clothing and food parcels. Later when the Hunger Marchers passed through Chelmsford on their way to London it was Chelmsford Star that provided them with a meal and repaired their boots.