The Co-operative Society has a long and proud history of helping communities.

The Co-op Group has its origins in the co-operative consumer societies started by the Rochdale Pioneers.

In 1863, independent Co-op societies formed The Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS). They provided Co-op products to sell in hundreds of Co-op stores.

Over the next century, CWS went through many changes and eventually became The Co-operative Group.

But how did it come to play such a large and important part in the relatively small community of Farncombe?

How it all began.

The Godalming and District Co-operative Society was set up in February 1897, under the guidance of the Guildford Society and the local Liberal Club.

It opened the doors of its small shop at 12 Bridge Street in August of that year, selling groceries and bread. Over the years that small shop expanded to become its flagship store and registered office. Other small stores were opened in Witley, Chiddingfold and Elstead.

A new road – and a new shop.

The late Farncombe historian Clive Downes wrote a fascinating and detailed article about the Co-op and Owen Road. The information below is taken from his work, and reproduced here by courtesy of Godalming Museum. The Co-operative Wholesale Society took ownership of the land that later became Owen Road and the site of the Co-op sometime in the late 1920s. The Society had been trading at number 62 Meadrow (later Andrews Music Shop) from 1920 until 1935, and was looking to acquire a site in central Farncombe. At the time of the Co-op's purchase the land was occupied by a series of small cottages whose gardens ran down to St John's Street (which at the time was called Upper Church Road). The cottages were demolished in around 1930, and in June 1934 Godalming Town Council minutes record that "The Co-operative Society inform the council that their new road at Farncombe is to be called Owen Road, having definite association with their movement". Robert Owen was the founder of the Co-operative movement in the 19th century. The new road was originally intended to run as far as Marshall Road, but never was extended that far. On October 1st 1935 the Co-operative Society applied to the town council for approval for "a proposed shop at St John's Street for Godalming Co-operative Society". Moving with the times.

By the 1950s shopping habits had changed, but Farncombe Co-op still clung to the old ways, with customers being served across the counter, and separate counters for meat and groceries.

In October 1958 the council minutes record "an application for an extension of the Godalming and District Co-operative Society's branch at St John's Street, Farncombe."

The original shop was virtually demolished and a new self-service store sprang up in its place, remaining largely unchanged for the best part of 40 years.

In the late 1990s the shop was enlarged again, expanding into warehousing at the back. Several garages on the site were demolished to make way for a customer car park.

In August 2001 an ATM was installed at the front of the building, and an illuminated display was added to advertise the fact that the Co-op was now the 'Co-op Late Shop'.

It's a long and fascinating history, showing how a Society with a pioneering vision has moved with the times over the years to remain the community hub it is today.

Eighty-five years after the pioneering members of the Godalming and District Co-operative Society first eyed the site in St John's Street, the Co-op store is still providing great service, fantastic value and outstanding community support to the people of Farncombe and Godalming.

When Co-op Members buy own-brand products and services, 2p for every £1 spent goes to support local causes and community organisations. To find out more about Membership,  follow the link here.