I also remember the Herbert J Cooke shop featuring the overhead cash container system, which as kid was fascinating to see working. The Co-op shop in Vange also had the same system, but of course much larger.
When thinking of Cooke's shop one is reminded of them being a crucial part of a small supply source in Pitsea. E.g. King's the butcher and Bedwell's were ajoining shops. So I can remember my mother raving about the wonderful pork sausages from King's and my first Raleigh bike being purchased from Bedwell's.
Having lived in Australia for 50 years I still clearly remember the Pitsea of old.