There are many members who will be able to answer this query.  There was once a small supermarket in Whaley, I think in the building which is now the Co-op Pharmacy. I am trying to remember whether this was Lennons or Liptons. When did it close I wonder ?  Are there any photos ?

Lennons became part of Gateway, now Somerfields which is currently being absorbed into the Co-op

I can't remember what it was called but a tin of beans or cat food was about ten bob and the stock was like one of those shops you still see in parts of North Wales on the Llyn peninsular or in a 1960's black and white film -only this was the mid 80,s  so that was why it closed-nothing to be nostalgic about I'm afraid-belongs in room 101

Cheers

Edited by user 26 September 2009 21:33:31(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

It could well have been Spar; yes, I remember that poor chap who was badly injured by those local thugs who robbed the shop. And you are quite right to say it closed very soon after this incident.

I do not remember it as Taxal Church Hall, and certainly not as a cinema. But then I am a mere newcomer of 30 years!

Edited by user 26 September 2009 23:02:20(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I Remember the Spar with Mr Turner who was assaulted by some local thugs. He was a very likeable if a bit of an odd character who kept banging his head on the shelf above the freezer cabinets...he was very tall though. I seem to remember the spa was sold to the co-op and for a while we had two co-ops in Whaley. Obviously one had to go and it became the pharmacy. I guess this happened as someone said about ten years ago.

It might well have been Lipton's at one time; I'm thinking of the 70's / 80's .  There was a time when every town had sometimes several branches of Allied Suppliers whether it be Home & Colonial, Maypole Dairy or Lipton's.  They were like the Tesco's of their day having over 3000 branches although only small shops like that in Whaley.

Lipton's was first established in Glasgow in 1870.  Allied Suppppliers was taken over by Argyll Group in 1982. By the mid 1980's many stores were being re-branded as either Presto or Lo-Cost whilst others were closed. A number were sold off to members of Spar.  Argyll went on ot take over Safeway and rebranded their remaining stores under that banner.  They eventually ended up under  Morrisons ownership. 

Was the Whaley branch at one time under the Lo-Cost banner ?

I can't discover much about Burgon's although I remember the name.  They seem to have been a regional chain of "high class grocers" with branches around Manchester.

David Easton

Edited by user 06 October 2009 08:32:03(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Burgons was on the opposite side of the road (where Vito's was) until about 1948/9 and then moved to where the pet shop is. Some people may remember Fred Platt delivering orders in their van. About 1967 after Taxal Parish Hall was sold it was moved into what is now the Co-op Parmacy as a self-service shop (previously it had been counter trade). I can't remember it it continued as Burgons but I think it next became Liptons. Following this J.R.B. Joinery occupied the premises where the pet shop is. As a matter of interest W.B. and Buxton Co-op grocery shop became self-service in early 1953.

Incidently Nelson closed the cinema in spring 1956 (the last film was Sinba) It was opened as Taxal Parish Hall by the Bishop of Stockport in Spring 1958.

george