Every year, hundreds of co-ops and organizations across the UK come together to celebrate and promote co-ops during Co-op Fortnight, which runs from Monday 24 June to Sunday 7 July.
Cooperatives offer a completely different approach to business, as they are owned and controlled by their members.
These members are not just investors, they are the community and the workers who care deeply about the success of the cooperative.
Like Restore Londonwhich supports local communities in building community-owned solar facilities and provides direct benefits to them.
Or the people of Lewisham keeping local music alive through a new locally owned venue, Sister Midnight.
And the worker-owners of Organiclea WHO produce and distribute food and plants locally, and inspire and support others to do the same.
Why are cooperatives “totally different”?
Cooperatives are more resilient because they answer to their members – the people who work for, shop and rely on these companies – not distant shareholders. It is about the collective, long-term interests of the members rather than a focus on short-term profits.
Co-ops are better for the climate. They are responsible businesses that care about the communities they operate in. Co-ops are committed to reducing the carbon footprint of their businesses and are more likely to create good jobs and recycle profits back into communities.
Co-ops keep money in the community. With no shareholders to satisfy, cooperative profits either go back into the business; given back to members; or members collectively decide to use it in other ways, such as supporting local communities or other cooperatives.
Co-ops fix things. A cooperative meets the needs of its members. In 1844, a group of workers gathered, who were tired of expensive and dirty goods. With a background of watered-down milk and flour mixed with sawdust to maximize mill owners’ profits, the group formed a cooperative store to provide quality products at a reasonable price. Co-ops fixed things in 1844 and continue to fix things today.
Meet more London co-ops
- Surge Co-op run by a community of people cleaning up and renewing London’s waterways for use by boats, moorings and the local community.
- Together TV – the first supporter-owned national TV channel, helping viewers find inspiration to do good in their lives and communities.
- SmallAxe Communications – a worker-owned cooperative that works with organizations to inspire people to take action on the most pressing issues of our time.
- The Star of Greenwich – a local pub in the heart of Greenwich promotes a happier and safer community by bringing diverse people together.
Want more London co-ops? Back co-op growth!
Co-operatives UK is calling on the next UK Government to make it easier for more co-operatives to form and thrive, bringing and maintaining greater prosperity in your area.
If you support a completely different way of doing business and want to see more co-operatives in London, support Co-operatives UK’s Call for Co-operative Growth.
You can also find your nearest co-ops using the directory at www.uk.coop/directory
