Topic
Topic ID 6617
20/06/2012 by Arty
Bengeo Co-Op (part two)
I don't know whether this has been asked before - but what was the Bengeo Co-Op before its present use?
Any pictures?
Come to think of it, What was in the huge space occupied by the Bengeo club, too? and when was that (fairly uninspiring - sorry, members) building erected?
Replies
Reply ID 88476
21/06/2012 by Marilyn
It was built for the co-op at the same time as the water tower in 1930 so never had a previous use. When first built it had the grocery store in the left hand side as you face it and a butcher on the right which later became the post office before the put it all together.
The Bengeo Working Mens Club had a tin hut on that space until they sold the "Onion Patch" for £98,000 in 1960 the present building was erected in 1962 with some of the proceeds of that sale.
You might be interested in a booklet for sale in "Good News" in The Avenue (they are spares from a street party) .....profits to Isabel Hospice
Reply ID 89515
19/08/2012 by Marilyn
Just listened to another tape of a lady born in Bengeo Street opp where the Co-op is now and she confirmed as I thought, where the Co-op is now were allotments used by Bengeo Club, not sure if they owned them or rented them? So there were no buildings there before the Co-op was built in 1930 and it was built as shops with flats over, general store one side butcher the other.
2 replies