Co-operative Architecture 1945 - 1959 : Coventry Co-operative Society, main store, 1957
From a very lavish production, printed of course by the CWS's own Printing Works at Reddish, is a description of the new Coventry central premises of the city's Co-operative Society. Constructed to replace war-damaged property as well as being part of the wholly replanned and reconstructed city centre this certianly looks the part. The exterior elevation is very post-war "Festival of Britain" style and the interior would have been considered very under-stated and stylish in the day. The 'handsome' grocery supermarket would likely have been an eye opener for many members shopping there used to old fashioned counter style grocers.
As the book describes the many new shops, stores, factories and offices for the CWS and the various Societies were designed by the CWS's own Architects Department in the day when the Society basically made and did everything its members could need.
Co-operative Architecture 1945 - 1959 : Coventry Co-operative Society, main store, 1957
From a very lavish production, printed of course by the CWS's own Printing Works at Reddish, is a description of the new Coventry central premises of the city's Co-operative Society. Constructed to replace war-damaged property as well as being part of the wholly replanned and reconstructed city centre this certianly looks the part. The exterior elevation is very post-war "Festival of Britain" style and the interior would have been considered very under-stated and stylish in the day. The 'handsome' grocery supermarket would likely have been an eye opener for many members shopping there used to old fashioned counter style grocers.
As the book describes the many new shops, stores, factories and offices for the CWS and the various Societies were designed by the CWS's own Architects Department in the day when the Society basically made and did everything its members could need.