Scotmid — Where it all Began
1859 — 1879 Beginnings
Social unrest and poverty set the scene for a meeting held in July 1859 by a group of Edinburgh workmen in the house of Adam Walker in Grove Street, Edinburgh, where it was enthusiastically agreed to form a Co-operative Society. The following month a further meeting took place where a committee was appointed to draw up rules. During subsequent meetings the rules were passed and Mr John Borrowman was appointed as the first president of the Society.
The name of St Cuthbert's was probably taken from the Parish Church of the district where the Society was founded, although it has been suggested that the pioneers may have had in mind the legend of St Cuthbert, the saint whose body defied time and decay.
First Shop Opens
The first St Cuthbert's food store was opened on the 4th November 1859 in Ponton Street, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh.
One of the original members speaking of the opening said "We opened with considerable spirit and found new relish in our butter, ham and meal in that it was turned over to us from our own shop. We were all working men, but we began to have the feeling that we were something more."
1880 — 1900In 1880 the Society moved into a prestigious new offices based at 92 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh.
Over the coming decades the amalgamation of smaller societies and a policy of expansion saw St Cuthbert's grow to become one of the largest independent societies in Britain.
1901 — 1944 Into the 20th Century
St Cuthbert's not only developed in size over the years but also widened the scope of it's activities to include large scale dairy, bakery and butchery operations but also Funeral Services, Tea Rooms, Carriage Works, Farming and property letting.
Many historical landmarks were reached by St Cuthbert's during the first half of the twentieth century, including the admission of women to the board of management, the institution of employees superannuation scheme, the first trials of self service shops and also the employment, in 1944, of one of Edinburgh's most famous son's Thomas Sean Connery (better known of course as super smooth 007) into the dairy at Fountainbridge.
1959 — 1969
In 1959, its centenary year, the Society opened the first supermarket in Scotland - situated at Edinburgh's Leven Street - literally around the corner from the site of the original store in Ponton Street.
In 1965 the Society's transport department received the prestigious Royal Warrant for Coach and Carriage works, this was followed in 1966 by a visit from H.M. the Queen who was presented with a buggy for use at Balmoral.
1981 — 1995 A New Alliance and a New NameOver the years since its inception, St Cuthbert's had been strengthened by its amalgamation with a great many small localised societies, however the most significant merger was to come in January 1981 when it was agreed to join forces with the Dalziel Society of Motherwell, a move which was taken to ensure future growth and extend trading areas. The famous name of St Cuthbert's disappeared into history as the new combined Scottish Midland Co-operative Society, Scotmid for short, was formed.
The subsequent years of the 1980's saw numerous other small societies from throughout central Scotland flocking to join the new and exciting Co-op, even in recent years small societies have continued to join forces with Scotmid, the latest being the transfer of the North Tayside, Strathaven and Kilwinning Society in 1998.
1995 — 2000 Semi Chem Comes on Board
The amalgamation of the societies into Scotmid was naturally our most significant historical landmark during the latter half of the twentieth Century, however the acquisition of a small family run business in 1995 was to prove to be another landmark moment in the Societies history.
Semi Chem had been founded by the Kerr family in Ayr during the 1980's, operating as a discount health and beauty retailer, the chain had a portfolio of 25 stores when they were bought by Scotmid.
The resources afforded by the Society allowed this small business to flourish and begin moving towards its true potential. A dedicated stream of investment and marketing saw Semi Chem expand rapidly across the towns and cities of Scotland and Northern Ireland and become a major High street and household name.
By 1999 the operation had grown to include 80 stores covering every major town and city in Scotland. New potential acquisitions were sourced outwith Scotland as a view to extending the trading area of the business. Midway through 1999 the Society obtained the Options chain in Northern Ireland operating 27 stores.
2001 — Present dayIn July 2003, Scotmid acquired the M & S Toiletries business, which was originally based in Livingston but now operates out of Wakefield.
In August 2004, Scotmid acquired Dundee based convenience store chain Morning Noon & Night. Morning Noon & Night, founded 12 years ago by Eddie Thompson, who is also Chairman and owner of Dundee United, operate around 50 local convenience stores throughout Scotland.
In November 2005, after 125 years of being based at Fountainbridge came to an end as the Society moved to a modern, purpose built Head Office at Newbridge near Edinburgh. Fountainbridge is still making a positive impact on the Society, as we are part of a Joint Venture developing the Fountainbridge site.
