The Hadleigh Archive

The Co-op is one of the longest established businesses on Hadleigh High Street. It began independently in 1886, but soon and within a year became a branch of the Ipswich Industrial Co-op Society Ltd. and in 1908 the manager was Mr. George Thomas Rowe. Frank Ling was then the manager after the First World War. The stock originally began with provisions but later grew to incorporate drapery and housewares. The drapery department and the housewares were on the first floor in separate rooms and remained there into the 1960s.

A refurbishment of the premises took place and was officially opened during 1967, during a period of great change within the town and when many of the former shops were closing, and new businesses were replacing those services previously being offered. Many may remember Mr. Eric Halls the manager during the 1980’s. He was somewhat diminutive in height, but he was very visible on the shop floor and moving quickly between the aisles to offer help to customers, or check stock levels on the shelves.

A major redevelopment began during 2003 following the closure of the dairy unit and its demolition at the rear of the store. The Co-op store temporarily relocated across the road to occupy the former Alldays shop on the corner of Queen Street. The new building works were well underway during September, and into 2004 the roof was being tiled in. After eleven months at their temporary location, the new Solar, Co-op Store was ready to resume trading in the new and enlarged premises, and it was officially opened on the 27th of October 2004.

The Hadleigh Archive is administered by the Hadleigh Town Council. The Guildhall, Market Place, Hadleigh. IP7 5DN. A team of experienced volunteers look after the Hadleigh Archive and meet on a regular basis to catalogue and transcribe its large number of documents and images.

Visitors are welcome by appointment only. Email: hadleigharchive@gmail.com Tel: 01473 823884