In the face of rising prices and cost of living worries have you ever wished there was a different, fairer, way of doing business?
Well, there is, co-operatives are making a difference to people, to communities and the wider economy.
Co-ops are not just a chain of high street convenience stores – although they are probably the co-op that most people have heard of.
A co-op is a business that is owned and controlled by its members. The members can be its customers, employees, residents, or suppliers.
Profits are shared between people who have a stake and a say in how the co-op is run, not distant investors or shareholders motivated only by large profits.
Not only are they better for local communities, but co-ops are also hugely successful.
In the UK co-ops are four times more likely to survive, with just 1.5% dissolving in 2020, compared to 6.5% of businesses in general.
Data published in 2021 showed Independent co-ops grew by 1.2% despite the pandemic, with UK co-ops as a whole reporting a £1.1bn increase in turnover.
The Scottish Government places importance on the creation of a wellbeing economy, which is a people-centred approach to local economic development.
Co-ops are an important part of this, redirecting wealth back into the local economy where it places control and benefits into the hands of its members.
As a result, there is support available out there from Co-operative Development Scotland (CDS) for new and existing co-ops in Scotland if you are interested in developing a business that shares benefits more widely.
CDS is part of Scottish Enterprise and supports growth across Scotland through employee ownership and co-operative business models.
If you are interested in exploring more about co-ops and boosting the wealth, opportunities and outcomes in your own community go to www.scottish-enterprise.com/coops.
Take a look at some of the co-ops thriving across Scotland
You can find co-operatives in pretty much every industry from breweries to social care, and they are every shape and size from multibillion pound businesses to small community enterprises.
Here’s just a few to inspire you:
Isle of Eigg Brewery
The Isle of Eigg was bought by a local community trust in 1997, ending hundreds of years of Laird rule and this history made the island an ideal setting for Scotland’s first co-operatively owned brewery.
Their share offer in late 2020 raised £200,000, surpassing its minimum target with weeks to spare. The popularity of the share offer saw it attract 645 members, who – depending on the level of investment – can now expect various benefits including discounted orders, tax relief and, of course, some free beer.
It aims to bring positive social and environmental impacts to the local area by creating high quality beer.
Granite Care Consortium
Granite Care Consortium (GCC) is a consortium of 10 member organisations who set up a co-operative to deliver a multi-million-pound public sector care contract in the north east of Scotland.
The council was looking for one operator to deliver its Care at Home Aberdeen City Contract which combines virtually all publicly provided home care services in the city.
The partnership, set up in 2020, brings together a mix of third sector and independent care providers collectively with decades of experience in supplying health and social care services.
By forming a consortium, GCC provides users with quick and easy access to person-centred, integrated care so that they feel supported, safe and well. It creates market stability, improves outcomes for users and helps to build a consistently trained and skilled workforce.
New Leaf Co-op
The New Leaf Co-op is a shop in Edinburgh, established in 2012 that specialises in good quality, responsibly sourced foods and home products. The bustling shop also offers an extensive range of organic, vegan and low-packaged products.
With six members, seven staff, the co-op seeks to support a thriving local economy and keeps food miles down, offering eco-friendly packaging where possible, and customers are encouraged to save money and waste by bringing their own packaging from home.
Greencity Wholefoods
Greencity Wholefoods is a wholesaler of fine food and drink based in Glasgow’s vibrant east end. Formed in 1978, this worker co-op is made up of 60 staff who all have a say and a vote on how the business is run.
They pride themselves in treating customers, suppliers, the community and workers with fairness and respect and champion co-operative working as a successful alternative business model.
For more information about co-ops and funding and advice available to start your own, go to scottish-enterprise.com/coops.
Co-op Fortnight is an annual celebration of the power and success of co-operatives across the UK, running from Monday, June 19 to Sunday, July 2, 2023. Visit www.uk.coop/fortnight.
