Staff at the Coop on Yarm Lane, Stockton – probably mid 1950s. The first photograph is courtesy of Keith Parnaby and the second courtesy of John Robson. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Staff at the Coop on Yarm Lane, Stockton – probably mid 1950s. The first photograph is courtesy of Keith Parnaby and the second courtesy of John Robson.
The Thomas Sheraton is where the old law courts use to be. The Metropole was on the next block on the corner of Park Terrace and Bridge Road.
The Co-op in Wellington Street was where I had my wedding reception in 1966 – Society House as it was called was upstairs and the room was wood panelled with leaded glass windows. I have kept all the receipts, etc from the day, in fact the Gazette did a feature on it a few years ago, and the cost of the reception was 8/6p (42p)a head, with the drinks bill coming in at £8. The whole reception cost £30. I attended a wedding in July this year where the cost was £30 per head, without the drinks! In 1966 the most popular venues for wedding receptions in Stockton were – Co-op Society House, Sparks Restaurant, over the cake shop in the High Street (approx opposite The Royal Oak) The Queens Hotel, next to the Station (burnt down now) and The Metropole on Bridge Road (is this The Thomas Sheraton pub now?)
I was wondering if anyone can remember the co-op stores in Wellington Street? I was secretary to Mr Hempsey in the drapery department. I remember a Mr Gee who worked as assistant in the menswear dept they where wonderful days and I remember my wages were £6.15s and that was a good wage. The office was next to the hairdressers and they still had the wires from above to curl hair, a lot ran out screaming that the hair was burning, as a young 16 year old I laughed all day. I started there in 1966 and about 1967 the co-op chemist came to the store and the coblers dept was moved to make way for it. I would love to hear if anyone can recall those days.
Hello I remember you, I worked alongside Margaret Bailey on soft furnishings so we were right next to your office you were friends with Susan Johnson. Were you a Thornaby girl? I loved it there until Margaret left. Remember lots of faces Billy Gee, Francis and Richard, Colin in parcels married a dark haired girl her name escapes me at the moment, Ronnie Fairfoul. Mrs Appleby or was it Appleton made curtains, Mrs Forth workroom Lucy Chadfield, Seth Harrison, old chap in gents outfitting. Sorry it’s so many years since your post I have just stumbled on it. You were on better wages than us.
Hello I remember you , I worked alongside Margaret Bailey on soft furnishings so we were right next to your office you were friends with Susan Johnson. Were you a Thornaby girl? I loved it there until Margaret left. Remember lots of faces Billy Gee, Francis and Richard, Colin in parcels married a dark haired girl her name escapes me at the moment, Ronnie Fairfoul. Mrs Appleyard or was it Appleton made curtains, Mrs Forth workroom Lucy Chadfield, Seth Harrison, old chap in gents outfitting. Sorry it’s so many years since your post I have just stumbled on it. You were on better wages than us.
Just remembered name who Colin married Pat Beddows, Anita on knitwear, Linda Mansell dress fabrics then curtains with me. Mr Hempsey of course. Scones in the tea room at break time .
Hi John Robson the picture you sent in is taken in Dovecote St Coop my Mother in Law is second from left as you look at the picture her name was Jessie Hampton ,she died only four years ago at the ripe old age of 96 .as a coincidence my own mother also worked at the coop in Yarm Lane and is in the other picture third from the right as you look at the screen her name was Nora Watling small world isnt it ,my husband and I now live in the City of Lincoln so this site is great for us and to see both our Mothers pop up is extraordinary,so thanks.
This photograph was taken possibly around 1958 it features the staff at one of the Stockton Co-op stores. My sister Margaret appears 3rd from the right in the back row. Her first job on leaving school was at the Dovecot Street branch of the Co-op, so I assume this photograph was taken there. Apart from my sister I do not know any of the other staff featured, however I think the manager might have been Bill Postgate although I am not absolutely certain of that. It would be most interesting to see if anybody viewing this website find any family members or old friends in the picture. Sadly my sister Margaret passed away in March of this year, aged 65.
I remember a Joan George from years ago when I used to go biking, a very bonny girl who got married and lived at Bishopton before moving to Canada with her husband whose name I”ve forgotten.
I live in Canada and came upon this site by accident and have been hooked. My mother has been giving me some information to input into the site comments and she had told me that mabye one or two of her sisters worked here at the Coop in Stockton in the 50″s. My mother is Ann George – her sisters Margaret, Joan and Doreen all grew up in Stockton. Is there anyone out there that remembers Ann or her sisters?
living in Lincoln City for the past 43 years I often look at Picture Stockton to see if there is anybody I know, today what a shock I got when a picture of my late mother came up,Nora Watling standing on the right of Mr Beecroft in the Yarm Lane Coop picture,my mother worked at that coop for many years with Mr Beecroft and was very fond of him as I remember ,happy days and memories.
The staff of the Coop Store, Yarm Lane, Stockton – probably taken in the mid 1950″s. The shop manager in the photograph was my uncle, Lister Beecroft.”
HELLO there,
My mother was called Mary Wharton she has just died on the 10th July this year. She used to talk about a Mr Beecroft. I used to have a shot of her outside the Hartington Road/ Yarm Lane corner which became a chemists and then a hairdressers. I was wondering if you had any more photos. Mam was a very toothy girl at the time and quite strikingly pretty. She left to marry Norman Wharton of Stamp Street Stockton. I don’t have a web address of my own so I am using a friends at the moment. thank you.