- South Suburban Co-operative Society
The South Suburban Co-operative Society (SSCS) was a
cooperative retailer insouth London ,Surrey andKent ,England . It became part of theCo-operative Wholesale Society , nowthe Co-operative Group .The SSCS came into existence in 1918 with the amalgamation of the
Croydon (formed 1887),Bromley andCrays (formed 1882 and 1870) andPenge andBeckenham (formed 1879) Societies. In 1930, SSCS merged with theReigate Industrial and Provident Society , followed by theTonbridge Industrial Society in 1938.In May 1947, a 13 acre sports centre was opened at Beckenham and in May 1949 employees were accorded full membership rights.
The SSCS registered office was at 99 London Road, Croydon, Surrey, where it remained until it merged with the Co-operative Wholesale Society on
28 July 1984 . Following the merger of theRoyal Arsenal Co-operative Society (RACS) with CWS in February 1985, administration of both the SSCS and RACS was moved toWoolwich on6 May 1985 . The London Road offices closed on17 May 1985 and moved to 18 Blackhorse Lane,Addiscombe until later that year.Co-operative education was an important part of the SSCS philosophy and in 1920 an Education Department was formed to arrange numerous educational, cultural and social activities and events. It became very influential in both local and national co-operative educational affairs.
The SSCS financially supported a local
Co-operative Party Committee, which initiated and sponsored local political candidates and events.The merger with CWS saw the SSCS operating shops and services over an area of convert|400|sqmi|km2 of
East Surrey and West Kent. In its last full trading year, the SSCS had a turnover of £47m, share capital of £1.7m, membership of 167,000, and 1,100 staff.References
*"Looking Back...", South East region,
Co-operative Wholesale Society Membership & Education Dept., July 1992.
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