A Butcher's Shop on Wheels.
Page 11
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
CVO-OPERATIVE societies in general kJ-figure amongst the largest users of motor vehicles, and at the present time, they are making use of light vans in particular to an increasing extent. They are not merely employing vehicles of various types for the conveyance of goods between warehouses stul branches and for the delivery of commodities purchased at these branches, for the enterprising transport h managers of some of these societies have developed further uses for motors by having them equipped as mobile shops.
By the employment of such vehicles customers are spared the need for making journeys to shops which may be located at some distance from their residences, and, instead, purchase their goods on the threshold of their own homes—a great advantage to the housewife, as a rule.
Of the several types of mobile shop in the service of co-operative societies none is serving a more useful function than the butcher's shop. This can be readily understood, for, whilst most other commodities can be bought with equal convenience at any part of the day, it is essential that meat, particularly in the working-class 'districts, should be purchased, delivered and cooked in readiness for the midday meal.
A Morris van fitted out as a butcher's shop has just been delivered by Chas. G. S. Buist, Ltd., Sandyford Road, Barras Bridge, Newcastle—the service agents for the manufacturers in the North of England—to the Allendale Industrial and Provident Society, Ltd. As will be seen from our illustrations, the chassis carries a very roomy body, which is fitted out as a miniature butcher's shop, complete in every detail. It is equipped with girders and the customary arrangement of hooks, which enable carcases to be handled quite as easily as in the ordinary shop, a serving counter, block, and the requisite tackle for cutting up and serving a particular joint or cut selected by a customer.
Sliding windows, which cover openings through which customers are served, are built into the side panels of the body. In place of rear doors a drop tailboard is used, and this facilitates loading, whilst a shutter is provided for protecting the contents of the body from inclement weather. In order to ensure
that the meat is kept in prime condition, large-capacity ventilators are arranged in the roof.
The vehicle is used to cover regular rounds over a 10-mile radius in the isolated countryside surrounding Allendale, and we are told that it is giving very satisfactory results.