For anybody interested in the Co-op in Plymouth, I received this information from a local knowledgeable person which I thought I'd pass on. The photo mentioned is of the Co-op in Victoria Rd in 1895.
The road layout has changed considerably over the years and part of what is now known as Victoria Road was at the time of the photo known as Trelawney Road.
In 1895, the Co-op bought property known as Stuart House Trelawney Road and on the land built grocery and butchery shops and the first floor above was used as living accommodation for the branch managers. In 1908 the first floors were converted into a drygoods shop which included general drapery, china, lamps, hardware, outfitting, small furnishing, and footwear. This shop was closed in 1932.
In 1949, the Society purchased Mr Searle`s business at 13 Victoria Road, which was adjacent to the property above. It appears as if part of Trelawney had by then been renamed as part of Victoria Road. I am told that the reconverted Searle business was mainly hardware but there may have been some furnishing as well. Later on the whole block was demolished and rebuilt as "Tamar House" store with food on the ground floor and drygoods on the first floor.
finta
