ACFA: Question About Cooperative. No 10

Question 10: Why Do The Rochdale Pioneers Prefer To Open A Business Shop?

Answer: They preferred to open the shop because the members of the Society needed to raise money to start their store and they collected 2d or 3d a week from each member. With a loan from the Weavers Association, they were able to collect £28 and they were ready to start in business. Private shopkeepers were worried because they believe that if the working people are also setting up their own store, it will be difficult for them to acquire the required customer. This thought therefore made it very difficult for the Pioneers to find a shop. Eventually, Dr Dunlop, a local property owner, agreed to rent them the ground floor of 31 Toad Lane. The building had been a woollen warehouse and as part of the agreement, the Pioneers had to replace the large doors with a shop door and windows.