Description and History of Site:-
The site comprises the original head office building of 1903 standing at the corner of Smithy Street and King Street, and an early post-war extension adjoining it in Smithy Street. The Economic was founded by William Greenwood, who as a young man saved sufficient funds to purchase the grocery business of William Woodward, located at 4 and 6 Charles Street, some time after 1887. In 1903, Greenwood erected a new, purpose-built warehouse, shop and stable at the junction of Smithy Street and King Street, and in 1907 the business had grown sufficiently to be converted into a limited liability company, under the style of the Economic Stores (Halifax) Ltd. Although privately owned, it operated on lines similar to those of the co-op, offering goods at attractive prices together with a dividend paid pro-rata according to purchases. By 1924 the company operated around 35 branches, a laundry at Well Lane and had its own pig farm at Springfield, Shibden. By 1937 it was said to have operated 71 branches and departments, chiefly located in Halifax, Bradford and Huddersfield areas. The 1903 building is now occupied by a carpet showroom and the 1946 block by a heating appliance supplier.
Further Reading and References:-Story of the Town that Bred Us, Halifax, J.J. Mulroy, 1947, p. 103.
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Key Words :- multiple grocery and food processor
Viewing the Site :- Can be viewed from Smithy Street or King Street.
Address :- Smithy Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 1SA
Grid Ref :- SE 09604 25290
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.723928 , Long -1.855929
Local Authority :- Calderdale Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - West Riding
Site Status :- Site extant - Protected status unknown
Site Condition :- Site in alternative industrial use
Site Dates :- 1903 -
Record Date :- 17 April 2017
Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Peter Robinson
Grid Ref :- SE 09604 25290
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.723928 , Long -1.855929
Local Authority :- Calderdale Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - West Riding
Site Status :- Site extant - Protected status unknown
Site Condition :- Site in alternative industrial use
Site Dates :- 1903 -
Record Date :- 17 April 2017
Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Peter Robinson