Brechin Co-operatives

BRECHIN EQUITABLE CO-OPERATIVE

Brechin had two co-operatives that were formed in 1833, Brechin Upper and Nether Tenements Saving Association.

By 1861 there were two co-operatives operating in Brechin, known as the Old Grocery Association and the Brechin Joint Stock Association. People wanted to adopt the main features of the Rochdale system and register. By May the Brechin Equitable Co-operative Society had been set up. In the same month those seeking reform were defeated by a large majority in the Brechin Joint Stock Association. In June the Old Grocery Association decided to close and the Joint Stock Association decided to pay up members who wanted to leave.

The Brechin Equitable Co-operative Society had 105 subcribors for shares in July and in August it was registered with a shop opened in the High Street. There was a soiree to celebrate the opening in September. In December the society was calling for members and customers to return checks, for which they would recieve a reicept.

It became United in 1913. It joined North Angus in 1969 and eventually Scottish Midland in 1998.