Catrine Co-operatives

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In addition to establishing the cotton mill and village at New Lanark in 1786, in 1787 the Glasgow merchant David Dale in partnership with the landowner, Claud Alexander of Ballochmyle, established a cotton mill and village at Catrine to utilise the Ayr River. This was purchased by James Finlay & Co. of Glasgow in 1801 who, in 1802, constructed two artificial lochs near the village of Glenbuck to supply the cotton works. The business expanded in 1823 when a bleaching works was added. Water power, later with the steam auxilliary power, was used until the 1940s. A railway station was opened for passenger traffic in 1903.

The railway station was closed in 1943. In 1950 a new mill was completed. This closed around 1970. The original mill was demolished in 1963 and the new mill in 1985.

The map opposite shows the village in 1895. On this map the mill dominates the village with the bleach works just to the east of the village.

CATRINE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY 1866-1966

The Catrine Joint Stock Company was started in the Corn Mill. It obtained a store and was renamed the Catrine Economical Society in 1842. It is recorded as having attending the 1852 Ayrshire co-operative conference. In 1871 the store was sold to Robert Mitchell, the salesman since 1848, and the society closed.

The Catrine Co-operative Society was started in March 1866 and the store opened in July. It was reported at this time that metal checks were to be given to members and non-members for purchases of at least 6d - when a customer had £1 worth of check, these were to be exchanged for a £1 check. Goods were to be sold with no credit at a price similar to other shops in the village. The society was wound up and the business taken over by Auchinleck in 1966.

CATRINE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED
	Source
	Filename	CatrCoop.3
	Value	3d
	Add Desc.
	Size (mm)	21
	Manufacture	Plated Iron Bracteate
	Notes

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