Dalkeith Co-operatives
Dalkeith developed from the castle, later Dalkeith Palace, as a major market town. It became a burgh of barony in 1401 and a burgh of regality in 1540. A train station was opened by the Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway in 1831. In 1853 the Corn Exchange was opened, at the time the largest indoor grain market in Scotland.
The map opposite, reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland, shows the old town area of Dalkeith in 1893, the area further South being mainly residential.
DALKEITH CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY 1861-1969
The society was formed in 1861 as the Dalkeith Co-operative Provision Society[1]. The name was changed to Dalkeith Co-operative Society some time in the 1870s. In 1888 the society opened new premises it had built. The building was originally called the People's Palace and contained a number of the society's departments - grocery, bread, ironmongery, millinery, drapery, boot and tailoring.
In August 1914 it was reported that the society was in discussion with Musselburgh & Fisherrow regarding amalgamation, with the discussions proceeding well[2]. The dividend declared was 4s in the £1. It was also noted that the society employed four check clerks with a total salary of £28 and the chairman was proposing a trial of the "cash railway system".
In December 1914 the society voted by a majorty if 55 to 17 to amalgamate with Musselburgh & Fisherrow[3]. The agreement was that Musselburgh & Fisherrow, as the largest society, would take over the assets and liabilities of Dalkeith[4] A social event was held in Dalkeith in April 1915 to celebrate the amalgamation. It this event it was proposed that the merged society be called Musselburgh & Dalkeith but this appears was not been acted on.
| DALKEITH CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED | ||
|---|---|---|
| File:DkeithCoop.1.jpg | ||
| Source | (DRR) | |
| Filename | DkeithCoop.1 | |
| Value | 1d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 29 | |
| Manufacture | Copper Bracteate | |
| Notes | ||
| File:DkeithCoop.6.jpg | ||
| Source | (DRR) | |
| Filename | DkeithCoop.6 | |
| Value | 6d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 29 | |
| Manufacture | Copper Bracteate | |
| Notes | ||
| DALKEITH CO-OPE SOCY LIMITED | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | DkeithCoop.1a | |
| Value | 1d | |
| Add Desc. | FLESHING DEPARTT | |
| Size (mm) | 19 | |
| Manufacture | Zinc | |
| Notes | ||