What a 1963 ‘big shop’ cost

10:33am Thursday 10th July 2008

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WITH food prices making news headlines this week, we have turned the clock back to see what the weekly groceries were costing families 45 years ago.

A weekend food price index in the summer of 1963 warned shoppers throughout East Lancashire that with soft fruits almost finished, the variety of pies that housewives could make were diminishing.

With whinberries and blackberries scarce, apples were offered as one alternative for teatime dessert. Grenadier and Lord Derby bakers were at the local greengrocer’s for 9d to 1s a lb.

Vegetables were cheap, with potatoes down to 2½ to 4d a lb, carrots, 6d, sprouts 1s 2d and peas very low at 5d to 8d.

Best cabbages were available at 6d each, although cauliflowers had risen to 1s because supplies were limited.

In the fruit department, peaches were plentiful at 5-8d each although larger varieties were 1s; Belgian hot house grapes continued to be a luxury at a whacking 6s a lb, although Cyprus seedless were better value at 1s 6a a lb.

Butchers made lamb the best buy, with legs and fillets the choicest at 5s 6d for English and 4s 6d for new Zealand cuts.

New Zealand loin chops, described as a tempting midweek special were also 4s 6d, while New Zealand mid neck, best bet for a good Lancashire hot pot or a casserole, was selling at 3s a lb.

Beef prices had risen and prices for best cuts had been ‘reluctantly’ passed on to the customer, which made rump steak 6s 6d and standing rib 4s.

Best quality Scotch salmon had risen to 10s 6d a lb, with plaice, one of the most popular buys at the time, available at 3s whole or, 5s 6d filleted.