The Co-operative Building

Like many other places, Gartcosh was home to a co-op - the village's Coatbridge Co-operative Society was situated in GARTLOCH ROAD.

Co-operative Societies were owned by the members and they, in turn, participated in profit-sharing by way of a dividend (the 'divi'). Every time a purchase was made, you quoted your membership number (these are still etched in the memories of many) and at the end of the year you collected your 'divi'....a welcome addition to many a family's household budget. The Gartcosh branch was No. 16 branch.

At the far end there was a hayloft and stables for milk deliveries by horse and cart.

The building housed a grocery shop, a drapers and a butcher's shop.

During the early part of this century, the building was developed by villagers, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Graham and a mini-market, hairdresser, cafeteria, butcher and business space opened for a time. Many of the fixtures and fittings were still in place, particularly in the butcher's shop with its original tiling. - it was as if the building had been in a "time warp".

The building, now under new ownership, now houses a pharmacy, a hairdresser, a mini-market and a ' take away' food shop and restaurant with private apartments above the shops.

THIS IMAGE SHOWS THE DEMOLITION OF THE STABLES AND HAYLOFT.