Tribute to Ribble Valley business woman and fashionista Maureen Cookson

A service of praise and thanksgiving will be held next Thursday in memory of much loved and highly respected local business woman Maureen Cookson who has died aged 89.
Maureen Cookson.Maureen Cookson.
Maureen Cookson.

Born in 1930 in Accrington Maureen attended Peel Park Primary, walking to school alone on her third birthday!

She achieved a scholarship to Accrington High School in 1941 which was tinged with sadness as her father left to join the RAF at the same time. He bought her a “wearwell” two wheeler for her efforts.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Aged 16 she left school and joined the family business at 19 Warner Street that had been started by her uncle, Moses Coupe. He did deliveries in a motorbike and sidecar and, after an accident, her father Albert Harrison forewent a planned emigration to Buenos Aires working for Fray Bentos and joined the business.

Maureen married Alan Cookson, the youngest son of close family friends, aged 18, and left Albert Harrisons in 1950 when pregnant with her first child, Ann. Eighteen months later, Peter was born and, in 1956, Maureen decided she wanted to open a shop in Whalley to put “jam on the bread”.

Number 47 King Street was purchased and consisted of two rooms with the family living in the rest of the building.

The shop was a drapers and haberdashery shop – and quickly grew. The family moved out into a house in Whalley and the whole building was turned over to retail and when in 1960 Alan Cookson was diagnosed with bowel cancer whilst Maureen was pregnant with her third child, Hilary; the decision was made that this had to become a career as she was likely to be a widow aged 30 with three young children.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Alan recovered well from surgery, but by then the seed was sown and Maureen had a taste for Whalley and fashion.

In 1974 they moved to the central unit of the then derelict Coop shop on George Street with the infamous Ace of Spades nightclub on the first floor. Over the years all parts of the building were acquired from landlord and friend Fred Haydock and developed. Alan joined the business and Hilary followed in 1979. The business grew into one of the country’s largest independent fashion stores and won many accolades in the industry.

Maureen retired in 1995 when daughter Hilary and her husband Henry took over the business.

Maureen led a very full retirement and dearly loved Whalley, the Methodist church, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Her final three years were in the care of Manor House Chatburn. She was a true embodiment of a life well lived.

A service of praise and thanksgiving for Maureen’s life will be held on Thursday, May 30th, at 12-15pm at Whalley Methodist Church, King Street, Whalley.

Family flowers only and donations in memory of Maureen to Whalley Methodist Church via www.champ

funerals.com/obituaries.

Inquiries to: Champ Funeral Services, Bank House, Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington, BB5 5DY. Call 01254 390731 or email

Related topics: