Co-op Fortnight - Investing in our local communities
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Published 2 Jul 2024 in Raising Awareness
As we enter the second week of Co-op Fortnight, we’re highlighting the importance of growing the co-op economy.
New co-ops in the UK are nearly twice as likely to succeed as start-ups, learning from previously used business models and often immediately making a positive contribution to communities through being value-driven organisations. As a result, it is important that more support is given to help remove unnecessary barriers to co-operation and accelerate the replication of co-operative solutions in systems such as social care, food, and housing.
Across the co-operative movement, Societies are investing in their local communities. Since 2021, we have opened 20 new food stores across the Midcounties region, along with two nurseries and two travel branches, an investment of over £10 million. These openings have helped create scores of jobs and ensure that local communities have access to important services.
Apley Food opened in February 2024
Rebrands for Bristol and Stonehouse Nursery
We are also now advancing plans to open a further 35 food stores including two this year, and 23 new nurseries. The latter comes as part of our broader ambition to double the size of our childcare business over the next five years, with our first nurseries in Shropshire and Devon set to open.
Crucially, the co-op economy doesn’t just help to boost local economies, but as values-driven organisations, co-ops also provide positive social and environmental impacts. Since 2021, we have provided over £500,000 in direct grants to support dozens of different local charities and community groups, backing a broad range of initiatives from food banks and community allotments to street artwork and youth groups.
As colleagues, you too have contributed 65,000 hours in volunteering and we want to thank you for helping to showcase how we can make a lasting impact on the communities we serve by doing good together.
