Co-op Fortnight - Creating new Co-ops
This article will take approximately 1 minute to read
Published 24 Jun 2025 in Raising Awareness
This Co-operative Fortnight, we’re celebrating what makes co-operation powerful: fairness, local action, and long-term community benefit.
At The Midcounties Co-operative, we believe in the power of co-operation in reducing inequality, serving our members needs and supporting our local communities. That’s why we’re so committed to helping to grow the co-operative sector.
We’re proud to share that, with the support of our partners Plunkett UK and Co-operative Futures, we’ve helped bring 31 new co-operatives and community-owned businesses to life since 2022. These include everything from community pubs and shops to sustainability-led projects like composting schemes, organic farms and community gardens.
In line with this year’s Co-op Fortnight theme of "Co-op Heroes," we’re celebrating some of the amazing individuals who are behind the 31 new co-ops, examples include: -
Bringing the community together through education and fun
In Northamptonshire, Mel Cooper manages the Westbury Community Shop. Under her leadership and the support of Plunkett UK, the shop has become more than a retail space – it's a hub for local produce, a community cinema, and a safe space for vulnerable members of the community. The shop also partners with a nearby special educational needs school to provide work experience placements for students with disabilities and additional learning needs.
Injecting life into community space
In Oxfordshire, Co-op Futures supported a group of local people who took on the challenge of transforming a former office into a community-owned space for wellbeing, creativity and co-working. Spearheaded by local couple Lorna and Roger, The Wolvercote Mill now hosts affordable lunches from a community café, arts and crafts classes and volunteer-led services that connect residents across generations.
Their stories show how co-ops deliver social impact every day – by reducing waste, creating opportunities for young people, and building spaces where everyone feels welcome. It’s community ownership in action, and we couldn’t be prouder to support them.
Read more about our progress and the inspiring people behind these co-ops in our 50 New Co-ops report here.