Rochdale Pioneers

This building at 31 Toad Lane was used by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers from 1844 to 1867, when the group moved to larger premises nearby.

The birthplace of the modern co-operative movement, where, on 21 December 1844 the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society opened their store selling pure food at fair prices and honest weights and measures.
The business revolution that started here now involves a billion co-operators as members of 1.4 million co-operative societies across the world.

The Pioneers were a small group of textile workers who decided to make a stand against the capitalist ideologies of the Industrial Revolution.

During their time at 31 Toad Lane, the group wrote a list of rules - the Rochdale Principles - which set down guidelines on equality, political neutrality and trading.

The museum opened in 1931