ONCE upon a time, if you wanted to buy your groceries, you would likely walk along the street, shopping basket in hand, to your local greengrocers or corner shop.

Angel Place in the early 1950s, this lady is heading into town, shopping basket in hand

Angel Place in the early 1950s, this lady is heading into town, shopping basket in hand

You might chat to the shopkeeper or one of your neighbours, while an assistant gathered the items on your list on your behalf, weighing out a pound of this and a quarter of that, and wrapping them all up in paper bags and newspaper, before placing them in your basket to carry home.

It’s easy to forget that supermarkets haven’t always been a fixture of our towns and cities.

Although the first self-service shops arrived in the UK during the late 1940s, it took a while for them to gain in popularity.

The Lichfield Avenue Co-op as built in 1958, which among other firsts, was the first to sell pre-packed meat in the city (with thanks to the Changing Face of Worcester – www.cfow.org.uk)

The Lichfield Avenue Co-op as built in 1958, which among other firsts, was the first to sell pre-packed meat in the city (with thanks to the Changing Face of Worcester – www.cfow.org.uk)

Worcester’s first purpose-built, self-service Co-operative supermarket opened in Lichfield Avenue, Ronkswood in 1958.

While the concept of helping yourself from shop shelves was at first rather daunting, this revolutionary new approach to shopping caught on, and the Ronkswood Co-op is still open for business to this day.

In the 1980s, some of the larger Co-op stores were rebranded as Leo’s, including the branch in St John’s

In the 1980s, some of the larger Co-op stores were rebranded as Leo’s, including the branch in St John’s

Other supermarkets were soon to follow, and today’s selection of images show just a handful, including several chains now less familiar to younger generations. Sometimes the old names linger on though – I’m sure I’m not the only person in Worcester still referring to the Co-op in St John’s as ‘Leo’s’!

Fine Fare supermarket in the Shambles, 1973

Fine Fare supermarket in the Shambles, 1973

Who remembers Pricerite in Blackfriars Square (shown here in the 1970s)? It was later to become Safeways

Who remembers Pricerite in Blackfriars Square (shown here in the 1970s)? It was later to become Safeways

Ambleside Drive in the 1970s, showing the shopping parade with Co-op on the right

Ambleside Drive in the 1970s, showing the shopping parade with Co-op on the right

David Greig’s in Broad Street, 1973

David Greig’s in Broad Street, 1973

Elmo Supermarket, c 1960, a chain of only 28 stores across the south of England, later bought out by Fine fare

Elmo Supermarket, c 1960, a chain of only 28 stores across the south of England, later bought out by Fine fare

Days before supermarkets. A 1950s view of a corner shop in Barbourne Road

Days before supermarkets. A 1950s view of a corner shop in Barbourne Road

Worcester Life Stories is a collaborative project bringing local people together through shared stories of the City of Worcester.

It is co-led by Dr Natasha Lord, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and Sheena Payne-Lunn, Worcester City Council and funded thanks to National Lottery players.

For further information or to share your stories visit worcesterlifestories.org.uk, our Facebook page or Twitter @worlifestories.

You can also email worcesterlifestories@gmail.com or call 01905 721133. And why not visit the We grew up in Worcester page on Facebook?