Sheffield Independent – Saturday 06 August 1938
Traders Hit
Dearne District Pit Stoppages
Trades people in the Dearne district, which includes Goldthorpe, Thurnscoe and Bolton on Dearne, are being seriously affected by the stoppage at Barnburgh Main Colliery.
Nearly three months ago, the management, decided to close the Barnsley seam following a dispute with the men. Nearly 2,000 workers were affected.
Members of Goldthorpe Chamber of Trade declare that Goldthorpe and Bolton has lost its spending power, as the prosperity of the district is entirely dependent on the mines.
Thurnscoe is not affected quite seriously, many of the miners in the township are employed at the Hickleton Main Colliery.
At one of Goldthorpe’s large department stores a “Daily independent” the corresponding was informed, that the receipts have declined by 25%. Takings of smaller tradesmen have, on an average, been produced by 33%, while radio dealers and furniture stores are, in many cases, suffering a 60% per cent, reduction in trade.
Thurnscoe Is more dependent on the Hickleton Main Colliery, but the recent gob-fire stoppage at this pit followed closely by holidays, has greatly affected Thurnscoe traders’ receipts.