The first Co-operative

In 1796 the workers in the Dockyard formed ‘The Portsmouth Dock Mill Co-operative Society’, which according to set rules that they devised, was to produce flour for their member’s use. Although little is known about this venture, it predates the more famous co-operative formed in Rochdale by 44 years. The Society built their mill on then unused land in Southsea on what is now Wisborough Road. Having seven storeys and standing 100 feet tall, it dominated the landscape as the suburb gradually grew up around it, once being described as ‘the Mightiest Mill in all Britain’. It was finally demolished in 1923 although the mill cottages, built for the workers, still remain.