helping hand

Barnsley British Co-op had a cash dividend to reward the loyalty of its customers and paid out twice a year.

The money usually provid-ed enough for new clothes for children at Whitsun and ensure Christmas was a less austere event.

In the pre-decimal era, the dividend was worth more than two shillings (10p) in the pound, or upwards of ten per cent of a customers’ spent. The dividend still exists in current Co-op convenience stores, now accumulated through a plastic card.