Butter and Margarine to be Rationed

North Street, Leighton Buzzard c.1900, Leighton Institute on the right [Z1432/2/1/28/43]

Tuesday 22nd January 1918: The following notice has been published today by the Leighton Buzzard Food Control Committee:

BUTTER AND MARGARINE COUPON SCHEME 

In order to avoid QUEUES and the undue and unequal purchase of BUTTER AND MARGARINE the Leighton Buzzard Food Committee have prepared a COUPON SCHEME, which will come into force on 28th January 1918, and under which no person will be able to obtain more than one supply (based on the number in the household) in any week. A RETAILER WILL NOT SUPPLY ANY PERSON WHO DOES NOT PRODUCE AN OFFICIAL COUPON. 

Coupons will be issued at the INSTITUTE, NORTH STREET, between 9.30 and 12.30, 1.30 and 4.30 and 5 to 8 p.m. from MONDAY 21st JANUARY, until STAURDAY 26th JANUARY 1918. 

The SUGAR TICKETS (not Cards) FOR THE HOUSEHOLD MUST BE PRODUCED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION. 

The Coupon must be presented to any Retailer, who will supply the applicant if he has the material in stock. There is, however, no guarantee that the holder of a Coupon will obtain a supply, but the available stocks will be distributed as equally as possible.

 Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 22nd January 1918