Co-operatives Fortnight

Across the UK, tens of thousands of people celebrated the first ever Co-operatives Fortnight, which ran from 19 June to 3 July to tell the world that There is an Alternative.

From events to early day motions, Twitter and tastings, members and supporters of co-operatives got together to promote our alternative business model.

Co-ordinated by Co-operatives UK – the trade association for co-operative enterprises – Co-operatives Fortnight united the whole co-operative sector to demonstrate that there is an alternative business model where profits and ownership are shared.

Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: "This was the first ever Co-operatives Fortnight and we’re delighted with its success. It was a collaboration between thousands of people and made an incredible difference – it excited and united co-operatives everywhere and really helped us all to promote that there is an alternative business model."

Over the course of Co-operatives Fortnight, an incredible range of activities took place, including:

• Over 150 co-operative events in every region and devolved nation in the UK
• Over 3,000 stores promoting the Co-operatives Fortnight nation-wide
• Over 4,000 people watching the Co-operatives Fortnight film for an answer to the question "What is a co-operative?"
• Thousands getting involved through online social networks
• 13 co-operative schools being established
• Two parliamentary motions being passed: one in Westminster, one in Edinburgh
• The first formula for co-operation being revealed
• And Co-operatives UK announcing that the co-operative economy has grown to £33.5 billion.

Meanwhile, during the Co-operatives Fortnight, HF Holidays held open days and gave away free cream teas at seven of its country houses, Unicorn Grocery in Manchester created a dance video, Cycle Training UK took over a local park to show the fun of teamwork, nearly 1,000 people attended Midlands Co-operative’s celebration of international co-operation at Aston Villa’s football ground and the Co-operative Group brought hundreds of school pupils to the Stadium of Light in Sunderland to find out about our alternative business model.

"We are as pleased as punch that so many of our members used Co-operatives Fortnight as an opportunity to promote themselves and the wider co-operative sector," Ed Mayo said.

"And we’re delighted to have had the support of the Founding Sponsors – not just because they made Co-operatives Fortnight a reality, but also because their enthusiasm and the events they held really raised the profile of our alternative business model."

The founding sponsors - each of which ran a variety of co-operative events and promotions to members and customers throughout the Co-operatives Fortnight - were: The Co-operative Group, The Midcounties Co-operative, Midlands Co-operative, Anglia Co-operative Society, The Southern Co-operative, Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society, Lincolnshire Co-operative and Channel Islands Co-operative Society.

Keep in touch with Co-operatives Fortnight news and plans for next year:

• Follow Co-operatives Fortnight on Twitter.
• Join the Co-operatives Fortnight Facebook page.
• Sign up for Co-operatives Fortnight updates using the form on this page.