The shop was set up in 1857 by Henry Bird JP as the Cooperative and Industrial Society Ltd. The manager of the shop was John Wilks, John was born at Goytre House Farm, the son of Isaac, a blacksmith and Elizabeth Jenkins.

The census of 1871 shows John Wilks in occupation, he is 28, a blacksmith and grocer,  Living with him is his brother William aged 24, sister Mary Ann 19,  his wife Catherine and two year old son John. Catherine Hargest, John’s wife was the daughter of David, a boot and shoe maker from Talgarth. John and Catherine were married  at  St Woolos  Newport on 29th January 1868.

On the census of 1881 at the Industrial Stores is John 38, a blacksmith and grocer, Catherine is 37, their children are John 12, Agnes 9 and David 3, living with them is an apprentice William Hawkes 19, his place of birth is not known.

By the census of 1901 John is a machinist, he had set up John Wilks and Son engineering works in Little Mill. The census says he is a mechanical engineer and employer, living with him is his wife Catherine 57, daughter Agnes 29, a grocers shop assistant and son David 23, a mechanical engineer.

Catherine died on April 28th 1905, she was buried at Chapel Ed where John was a deacon.

In 1911 at the Post Office Goytre is John 68, he is now a widower, daughter Agnes is a post mistress for GPO.

At Penperllenny House in 1921 is John, now says he is an agricultural engineer, living with him is daughter Agnes. Both his sons, David and John are employed at the works in Little Mill. David had married Ethel Davies on the 2nd of September 1907 at the Independent Chapel Abergavenny.

John Wilks died at Penperlleni House in Goytre on April 17th 1931, (read in obituaries) he left £808 3s 4d in his will to John and David. He was also buried at Chapel Ed.

Daughter Agnes remained at Penperlleny House until her death on January 18th 1945. Her will stated she had left £828 5s 9d to Ethel, the wife of her brother David, this amount was resworn later and increased to the sum of £2201 15s 1d.