High Street Building

This High Street building was erected in 1943 to house the Millinery Department of the Tranent Co-operative Society marking a period of great change in the'Store' (as it was generally known). The main shopping centre of Bridge Street was altered to accommodate the existing household furnishing and outfitting departments with the addition of a shoewear department. The Church Street premises were altered to deal with furniture and hardware. The selection of foodstuffs was scaled down and self-service was introduced with some success. An Undertaking Department was also established, under the control of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society. This was a very successful venture, responsible for at least three quarters of burials in the Parish by 1953. Such restructuring suggests that shopping trends were changing away from the personal shopping experience towards speed and convenience. To compensate for profits lost on the food side the Store offered more expensive consumer goods. A Stamp Club was introduced which not only facilitated saving but made it possible to purchase these more costly goods.