Opening of first Tranent Co-operative Society Shop

Tranent Co-operative Society began in 1862 when forty miners from the Parish opened a small shop in Tranent High Street. Out of a population of approximately 4,000, membership increased rapidly totalling 905 by the end of the year. By 1945, membership reached c12,000 out of a parish population of 43,000, peaking at 17,414 members in 1967.

The Society was established to improve quality of life for the mining community by providing quality food and household goods at affordable prices; rewarding customers with a dividend system. As the Society became more successful the charitable nature continued. Co-operative choirs received children's clothing and elocution classes; during the 1926 national strike people were given food on the agreement that they would pay for it later. The balance of profits was forwarded to the committee for the relief of Lancashire distress.