Coopers Stores , Liverpool
The exquisite aroma of ground coffee permeating my nostrils as I entered Cooper's foodstore on the corner of Church Street and Paradise Street in Liverpool city centre is one of my fondest and most enduring childhood memories . This remarkable department store , the North's answer to Fortnum & Mason , is still spoken of affectionately by Liverpool shoppers , despite it being over 40 years since its closure .
Founded in Glasgow in 1871 , Cooper's established themselves in Scotland before opening a Liverpool branch in 1895 . They were situated in Church Street and prided themselves on their extensive stock of quality foodstuffs . At the time of their inauguration their staff consisted of a mere 12 assistants but , by the outbreak of the Second World War , their payroll numbered over 1,100 people in 20 departments .
Throughout their existence Cooper's specialised in tea and coffee but also tempted the palate with such items as exotic fruits , fine wines , venison , pheasant , Manx kippers , Scottish salmon and cream cheese in 20 different flavours . They even marketed their own brands of furniture polish , butter , tea and dairy cream and , in keeping with their high-class reputation , they employed page boys to carry customers shopping out to their cars .
The first floor of the building was occupied by a spacious cafe with seating for over 900 people . Items such as bread and cakes were supplied by Cooper's own bakery . Initially the cafe was waitress-service only but they later introduced a self-service arrangement .
As Cooper's business deteriorated in the wake of the supermarket explosion , their bakery was closed . Four years later , in 1966 , their cafe also became a casualty . Sadly , almost tragically , Cooper's store itself closed its doors for the last time on March 11th 1972......Sometimes though , as I turn into Church Street from Paradise Street , I'm convinced that I catch a whiff of coffee on the breeze .
Coopers Stores , Liverpool
The exquisite aroma of ground coffee permeating my nostrils as I entered Cooper's foodstore on the corner of Church Street and Paradise Street in Liverpool city centre is one of my fondest and most enduring childhood memories . This remarkable department store , the North's answer to Fortnum & Mason , is still spoken of affectionately by Liverpool shoppers , despite it being over 40 years since its closure .
Founded in Glasgow in 1871 , Cooper's established themselves in Scotland before opening a Liverpool branch in 1895 . They were situated in Church Street and prided themselves on their extensive stock of quality foodstuffs . At the time of their inauguration their staff consisted of a mere 12 assistants but , by the outbreak of the Second World War , their payroll numbered over 1,100 people in 20 departments .
Throughout their existence Cooper's specialised in tea and coffee but also tempted the palate with such items as exotic fruits , fine wines , venison , pheasant , Manx kippers , Scottish salmon and cream cheese in 20 different flavours . They even marketed their own brands of furniture polish , butter , tea and dairy cream and , in keeping with their high-class reputation , they employed page boys to carry customers shopping out to their cars .
The first floor of the building was occupied by a spacious cafe with seating for over 900 people . Items such as bread and cakes were supplied by Cooper's own bakery . Initially the cafe was waitress-service only but they later introduced a self-service arrangement .
As Cooper's business deteriorated in the wake of the supermarket explosion , their bakery was closed . Four years later , in 1966 , their cafe also became a casualty . Sadly , almost tragically , Cooper's store itself closed its doors for the last time on March 11th 1972......Sometimes though , as I turn into Church Street from Paradise Street , I'm convinced that I catch a whiff of coffee on the breeze .