Discover how our Business Support for Co-ops programme has helped a group of people to keep a much-loved shop and community focal point aliveβ¦. So they rallied round and formed a community benefit society CBS so they could buy it, run it and continue its valued presence at the heart of their community. They were awarded expert advice from co-operative adviser Jo White to help them navigate setting up the organisation and launching a community share offer.
The COF is a grant programme to help communities acquire valued assets deemed at risk. So she had a look at our application and gave us some guidance. The Business Support for Co-ops programme also awarded Naomi and her colleagues peer mentoring support from another community benefit society that had experience in buying a local hardware store β Havards in Newport, Wales. We now have 25 people on the scheme who will be member owners.
The store will be re-opening under new ownership early in We aim to add and improve, not remove or replace things that people value. Skip to main content. Supporting fair and ethical business in partnership with The Co-operative Bank. Case study Published. Jo was fantastic and worked closely with the two people in our group who created the business plan β they made a great team.
Without her, we would not have had a suitable business plan. Related content. Content by Booster Fund. When a local trader decided to retire, customers of his much-loved Birmingham store rallied round to preserve it as a valued community hub.
Case study. From up to six days tailored support and mentoring, to digital tools and events we can help you to start or grow your co-op. Content by Business Support for Co-ops.
