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| the directory co-operatives |
We always try to support Co-operatives wherever possible, in the case of member's co-ops, if you make the effort to become a member and a surprising number of people don't it seems, not only do you get rewarded with a dividend but you can get to have some limited say in the way the company is run. If you want more information on Co-operatives in your country the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) is the register of Co-ops throughout the world follow the link below and see what's out there. |
| International Co-operative Alliance |
 I suppose you could think of this as Co-op HQ, these are the big boys, the top of the tree, the main men - you get the idea! They more soberly describe themselves as, the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), the apex organisation of the international co-operative movement. The ICA web site provides information on the ICA mission, structure, members, our various activities and latest reports on our meetings.' It seems that each country in the Alliance has a central organisation with a register of members, details of the UK organisation below. |
| Co-operativesUK |
 Co-operativesUK is the central organisation for co-operative enterprises in the United Kingdom. Member owned and led, they work to represent the interests of our member |
| uk.coop |
| uk.coop is the online search for Co-operatives in the UK. The majority of the UK, including me assumed that Co-ops in the UK were basically the foodstores we see on our High Streets and not a lot more. But there are an astonishing number of Co-ops in the UK. I did a search based on my postcode and there are 30 co-operatives within 15 miles of my house! Surely it's better to support these member owned businesses than those owned by shareholders. |
| member's co-ops in the UK |
| the
Co-operative Group Food Stores |
If you are going to shop in a UK supermarket chain the Co-op is probably the one to choose. They have a great selection of own brand fair-trade goods including coffee, tea chocolate, orange juice, wine and a really great chocolate cake. Make sure you become a member though it enables you to have something of a say in the way the Co-op is run. Their dividend card also gives you money back on all your purchases and you can always donate a percentage to charity. See also Co-op Bank, CIS, Travel Agents and Funeral Homes. |
| the Co-operative Bank |
| The Co-operative bank provide the full range of current and savings accounts. The Co-op state that they will not invest in "any government or business which fails to uphold basic human rights within its sphere of influence." or "any business whose links to an oppressive regime are a continuing cause for concern." See also Co-op food-stores, CIS, Travel Agents and Funeral Homes. |
| Co-operative Insurance Society |
| The CIS provide the usual range of insurance products and operate from within an ethical policy similar to that of the Co-operative bank above. You might think that this would put them at a disadvantage, but in my experience they are competitive with other on-line and direct selling insurance companies. (Update February 2006 - we now get our house insurance from the CIS and they were very competitive with other quotes we got.) See also Co-op food-stores, CIS, Travel Agents and Funeral Homes. |
| The Phone Co-op |
| The phone Co-op offer reduced cost calls via your BT line, in addition you get a free 0845 number in addition to your existing phone number, enabling anyone to call you from in the UK for the price of a local call. For the nominal sum of £1 you can become a member, vote on Co-op policy and receive a dividend in relation to the amount you spend. One we would recommend! |
| worker's co-ops - UK |
| Alpha
Communications Durham |
| Multi-media design agency in Durham |
| Calverts
Design and print co-operative London |
I don't have direct experience of Calverts, but they have quoted for a project that didn't come to fruition, and they were competitive and helpful. |
| Daily Bread Co-operative Ltd |
| Whole Food Suppliers - Northampton and Cambridge UK |
| Edinburgh
Cycle Co-operative Edinburgh, Aberdeen & Newcastle |
 The Edinburgh Cycle Co-op have three real life shops in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Newcastle, they also have a large online shop, supplying their own brand and named brand cycles, plus a huge range of accessories etc. The mail order/online shop works well, their prices are very competitive and it's a Co-op! |
| Eighth
Day Co-op 111 Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 7DU |
 The Eighth Day Co-op sounds fantastic. I'm afraid I've not had the opportunity to go there but it sounds well worth a visit. If you have been please let me know what you think. They say - 'On the Eighth Day Co-operative Limited is a democratically run, worker-controlled business. Together we run the 'Eighth Day' cafes and shop. Our constitution demands that we promote the physical, mental and spiritual well being of the community, especially those who participate in the co-operative, whether they are employees, customers or suppliers. This we try to do by trading without the exploitation of our employees, our customers, the planet and ourselves. We try to deal with other ethically minded businesses, especially other co-operatives.''All our products and services are |
| Employee Ownership Scotland Ltd |
| A not-for-profit organisation promoting employee stakes in businesses of all sizes. |
| Essential Trading Co-operative Ltd |
| supplies, natural, organic and fair-trade whole-foods to independent businesses in the UK and overseas. |
| Footprint
Workers Co-op Chapeltown, Leeds |
| Footprint is a workers co-operative based at Cornerstone Resource Centre, Chapeltown in Leeds. Footprint was set up in July 2000 to provide printing services to the highest possible ethical and environmental standards |
| Hebffinia - Design & Music |
| |
| Infinity Foods |
Excellent wholefood shop and separate cafe in Brighton, if you want the pick of the bread get there early! They also wholesale nationwide. |
| Job Ownership |
| a not-for-profit organisation promoting and researching employee ownership. |
| John Lewis Partnership |
| Is the John Lewis Partnership a co-operative? according to their website, they state they are Britain's largest and longest running example of co-ownership, which sounds like a workers co-op to me. It could just be that as middle England's favourite store they don't think their core of middle class customers would like the rather socialist concept of a worker's co-op? Be that as it may, the profits are divided amongst the employees, although not very equally as you might hope in a co-operative, and they do offer a good service to their customers, so I am happy to recommend them above the other department stores on the high street. Waitrose food stores are part of the John Lewis Partnership. |
| Letterbox Library |
| not-for-profit organisation providing multicultural and non-sexist books for schools & libraries. |
| Northern Club Federation Brewery Ltd |
| Regional brewer since 1919, located in Gateshead. |
| St
Lukes Advertising Agency London, WC1 |
| Advertising agency |
| Suma Wholefoods Co-operative |
| the UK's largest independent wholesaler of vegetarian, fairly traded, organic and natural foods. |
| Tantric Technologies Co-op Ltd |
| IT support & website hosting |
| The
Bicycle Doctor Rusholme, Manchester |
| Bicycle Doctor isn't just a thriving shop in the millionaires' playground of Rusholme, Manchester. It is the people who run it. Their positively elephantine knowledge of all things cycling, combined with a huge range of stock, makes the Bicycle Doctor unique! Add all the years that each of the six members have worked in bicycle shops and we've got a over a century of experience ! |
| Total
Coverage - Design Consultancy Southampton |
| Based in Southampton total coverage is a graphic design consultancy. Formed in 1988, we’re a democratic business, run according to co-operative values and principles. All of our employees are encouraged to become directors of the company, and to have an equal say in how we run our business and shape our future. As a result, there is an energy and passion for good, effective design which runs through our studio, and which directly benefits the clients we work with. |
| Unicorn
Grocery Chorlton, South Manchester |
 The Unicorn Grocery is the store featured on BBC Radio 4's the Food Programme. It looks great but I haven't had the chance to visit, if you have please give me your impression. |
| Wave Design Ltd |
| Design studio, offering corporate identity, brochures, catalogues, reports etc. |
| member's co-ops in the USA |
| Co-op America - Food Stores |
We don't have any direct experience of Co-op America, so any reviews would be more than welcome. |
| Co-op Directory Service |
| List of co-operatives & buying clubs. |
| First
alternative Co-op Corvallis, Oregon |
| This has to be the blueprint for food co-ops everywhere. They have two stores in Corvallis (OR), we went to both and bought-up a storm. |
| worker's co-ops in the USA |
Sorry I don't know of any, what a poor state-of-affairs, please send me any links. |
| member's co-ops - rest of the world |
| Co-operative
Auto Network Granville, Vancover, British Columbia |
 The Co-operative Auto Network (CAN) is a not-for-profit co-operative venture incorporated to foster car sharing as an alternative to the privately-owned automobile. They say, 'We believe CAN is an environmentally-responsible and economically-sound choice for many people's mobility needs. Through car sharing we aim to improve air quality, reduce stresses on green space and eliminate many non-point sources of pollution.' |