Sign of the times for World Capital of Co-operatives – Rochdale Online (UK)

A historic symbol of Rochdale’s rich heritage has returned to the borough after an absence of almost 20 years.The original Toad Lane caste iron street sign that was...

A historic symbol of Rochdale’s rich heritage has returned to the borough after an absence of almost 20 years.The original Toad Lane caste iron street sign that was in place when the Rochdale Pioneers founded the first ever Co-operative store in 1844 has been officially handed back by a former Rochd

A historic symbol of Rochdale’s rich heritage has returned to the borough after an absence of almost 20 years.

The original Toad Lane caste iron street sign that was in place when the Rochdale Pioneers founded the first ever Co-operative store in 1844 has been officially handed back by a former Rochdale councillor.

A special ceremony at Touchstones on 21 December, the anniversary of the opening of the Pioneers’ store 167 years ago, saw David Williams, once Chair of the Rochdale Co-op Party, present the sign to the Mayor, Councillor Alan Godson, and Council Leader, Councillor Colin Lambert.

The sign was left anonymously at Mr Williams’ party headquarters in 1992 and, busy campaigning for that year’s election, he resolved to sort the matter out later.

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