Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society Department Store - Woolwich - Jan 2012

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nelly

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Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society Department Store, Woolwich

Out for a mornings Splore with Skeleton Key and Ninja Kitten and had a quick meet with UrbanX, Coverturbex and Priority 7

The Woolwich Co-op is one of those places where you think to yourself "Should I bother setting my camera up?", it's absolutely trashed but there were still a few nice art deco features to be seen.


The History Bit

The impressive department store occupies a prominent place on Powis Street, Woolwich. Built in 1938 By the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society in the art deco style.

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The Royal Arsenal Co-op was founded by workers at the local royal arsenal in 1868, their principal aim was to provide reasonably priced food for local workers. The co-op developed and came to offer a range of services locally which included bookshops, chemists, undertakers, laundries, insurance and savings stamps clubs and a department store. The co-op was founded on on the democratic principals of one member one vote and paid a dividend to members.

An old painted type postcard
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The store was to become a popular high street store for the next 50 years, selling clothing and housing a bank. The RACS experienced a period of decline in the 1980's and was eventually merged with the Co-operative Wholesale society, Who in turn became known in the Uk Simply as the Co-op.

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The exact date of closure is unclear, but it seems to have been empty from the early 2000's. The building is popular locally but is currently under threat from the local council who have plans to demolish and re-develop the site.

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Ornate Art Deco stairs led from level to level
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Up and up until we finally hit the roof
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On the 2nd floor we stumbled across the sad side of UE. From the front of the photo to the back was his worldly possessions. Bed, Dinner Table and Washing Line, the table showed an in date pork pie and a couple of other fresh bits. Time to go :(
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great report nelly...and photos..ooooww the lifts ! still make me shiver!!:eek:

Maybe shouting to you "Hey come and look in here" and then shining my torch down a 5 story lift shaft wasn't to you taste then madam ;)


Nice report, I always get that feeling when ever I come across someones living quarters :(

I know, sad :(
 
Maybe shouting to you "Hey come and look in here" and then shining my torch down a 5 story lift shaft wasn't to you taste then madam ;)



Maybe i know how dam clumsy i can be..! that would be a big ouch that your first aid kit couldnt mend:)
 
Nelly you are getting sloppy bud :) the postcard show the wrong side of the street (Will only let you off because its been labelled as the building) :p and you forgot about Coverturbex being there I am so ashamed of you :lol: and no Kudos on the info grrr I am really gonna sulk now :)

On the plus side nice photos bud got alot from a trashed site
 
Nelly you are getting sloppy bud :) the postcard show the wrong side of the street (Will only let you off because its been labelled as the building) :p and you forgot about Coverturbex being there I am so ashamed of you :lol: and no Kudos on the info grrr I am really gonna sulk now :)

On the plus side nice photos bud got alot from a trashed site

Ooh well spotted fella, didn't notice that on the postcard

Coverturbex added, and OK, soz, credit time.....

I would like everybody on Derelict Places to know that this location was Priority 7's idea, he not only came up with the location, but he also drove in front to get there

;) Love ya fella :)
 
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Ooh well spotted fella, didn't notice that on the postcard

Coverturbex added, and OK, soz, credit time.....

I would like everybody on Derelict Places to know that this location was Priority 7's idea, he not only came up with the location, but he also drove in front to get there

;) Love ya fella :)

Luv ya too chap....
 
Nice one fella, totally missed this yesterday. Beautiful photos as usual.
The guy living there also had an alarm click and seersl pairs of identical trousers on the line. Implying he was employed. There were drinks bottles but no drugs.
Excellent work in the research too, lovely to see you and SK again, and to meet you ninjakitten.
 
Great Stuff mate and agreed was debatable to get the cameras out as initially looked like a complete tip at the first floor we came in on lol.
But the buildings features came to light slowly but surely.
The homeless aspect I found quite sad.
Great pics mate


Tank well spotted indeed mate


Nelly you are getting sloppy bud :) the postcard show the wrong side of the street (Will only let you off because its been labelled as the building) :p and you forgot about Coverturbex being there I am so ashamed of you :lol: and no Kudos on the info grrr I am really gonna sulk now :)

On the plus side nice photos bud got alot from a trashed site

? forgot 2011 LOL

SK :)
 

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