Case studies
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The Bell Inn: A community-owned pub with the feel-good factor on tap
Content by Business support for co-ops
A much-loved pub and music venue, The Bell Inn on the edge of Bath city centre is owned by some 675 of its customers, fans and workers.
2 years 6 months
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Climate change driven by members of one of the UK's largest co-operatives
From eco-bricks to plastic reduction to community energy, the members of The Midcounties Co-operative are driving transformational change to support climate action.
2 years 9 months
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Central England Co-operative – putting co-op values into action
Content by Co‑op of the Year
A community-based consumer co-op, Central England Co-operative employs 7,800 people across some 430 outlets – and has more than 165,000 active members.
2 years 9 months
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Loaf – real bread, real co-operation
Content by Co‑op of the Year
Bakery and cookery school Loaf is a worker co-op that aims to promote real bread and cookery skills – and build community through food.
2 years 9 months
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Co-operative architects putting equality into action: Studio Skein
Content by Business support for co-ops
After operating as a limited company for nearly two decades, Plymouth based architecture firm Studio Skein – formerly McCaren Design – became an employee ownership trust on 1 June 2020.
3 years 5 months
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Putting an old pub to good use: Nudge Community Builders
Content by Booster Fund
Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, Nudge Community Builders secured £206,750 with 165 investors in 67 days to bring former pub The Clipper back into use for community benefit.
3 years 5 months
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Serving up help, hope and hearty meals: Warehouse Café
Content by Business support for co-ops
Creating delicious vegan dishes, the Warehouse Café is a worker co-op situated in the Friends of the Earth Building in Birmingham. The café has been in existence for 35 years. And in early 2019, the…
3 years 5 months
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Pooling funds to reinvigorate a historic lido: Jubilee Pool
Content by Booster Fund
Jubilee Pool – operated by Community Benefit Society Jubilee Pool Penzance – is one of the last remaining salt-water lidos in Europe. Opened in 1935, it’s a beautiful art deco facility on the Penzance…
3 years 5 months
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Rehabilitation the co‑operative way: New Leaf Co‑op
Content by Business support for co-ops
The New Leaf Initiative is a Birmingham-based mentoring organisation that supports people with criminal convictions to find work.
3 years 6 months
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Meaningful change for Plymouth communities
Content by Empowering Places
Plymouth is a social enterprise city. It has more than 200 social and community business that employ some 8,000 people...
4 years 3 months
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Reviving derelict buildings to bring hope to communities: Nudge Community Builders
Content by Co-op Fortnight
Nudge Community Builders in Plymouth is flying the flag for Co-op Fortnight (24 June to 7 July 2019) by leading a group of volunteers to mend and clean a much-loved community space at Union Corner the…
4 years 10 months
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Doing good with wood: Bristol Wood Recycling Project
Content by Business support for co-ops
Bristol Wood Recycling Project collects tonnes of good quality timber from construction yards and other businesses around the city that would otherwise be wasted.
6 years 5 months
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A co-op gym that does things differently: Bristol Co‑operative Gym
Content by Business support for co-ops
Offering an alternative to traditional gym culture, Bristol Co-operative Gym was set up as an inclusive, non-judgemental space free from assumptions about identity and appearance. It received support…
6 years 7 months
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Co-ops strike winning chord: Swindon Music Co-operative
The Musicians’ Union (MU) estimate that between a quarter and a third of a 12,000 strong workforce of musical instrument teachers lost their jobs between 2009 and 2015.
7 years 11 months
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Owned by people who love, live and breathe The Bell Inn
Content by Community Shares
The Bell’s future was in doubt in late 2012, when the previous owner put the property and business on the market. Two packed public meetings helped create the momentum which has now seen the pub…
12 years 3 months