New Co-op stored opened

High Street was the focal point in Bideford: the occasion the opening of the Co-operative Retail Services' new store. When Ald. Ralph Cock, chairman of Bideford Bridge Trust (owners of the site) officially opened the store by cutting a ribbon across the entrance, a large crowd had gathered, eager to see the transformation that had been wrought in a couple of weeks.

Describing the store as the first major development in High Street for many years, Ald. Cock said that it marked the great progress made by the Bideford Co-operative Society since it was founded in 1872, which was about 18 years before the erection of the old Post Office building, the site of which the new premises occupied.

As a souvenir of the occasion Ald. Ralph Cock, was presented with a travelling clock on behalf of the movement by Mr L B Beer, who in turn was the recipient of the gift of an electric blanket from Mr J Gwyther on behalf of the architect's department, Bristol. Other speakers included Mr F H Rendle, for 33 years an employee of the Bideford Co-op and for the last 15 years, until his recent retirement, managing secretary.

Gazette article dated 16 December 1960