The Society was founded in 1857, buying the building from the church, and operating a single store on Towngate in the village.

The Society claimed to being the world's oldest operating independent single retail co-operative outlet.

In 2006, the Society held talks with the nearby Wooldale Co-op with a view to merging the two Societies' operations but these talks ended without a merger going ahead.

Highburton Co-operative closed for business on 27 February 2009.

From 2010, and following building refurbishment, the property was divided into two leased units, the ground floor being a convenience new shop run by Mr Peter Clegg, and the first floor being occupied by PCS Asbestos Consultants Limited.