Maximising economic growth by growing Scotland's co-operative and
mutuals sector was the focus of a roundtable hosted by UK
Government Ministers today [January 22].
A co-operative is a business owned and run by its members and
such is their success the UK Government is committed to doubling
the size of the sector. Scotland was home to some of the
earliest co-ops in the world - including the Fenwick
Weavers' Society in 1761, when 16 weavers joined forces to secure
fair prices and mutual support.
Experiences of such businesses were heard during the roundtable
event at New Lanark Mills - the historic cotton mill village
where Robert Owen developed his pioneering ideas on worker
welfare and community enterprise in the early 19th century.
Scotland Office Minister and Minister for Small
Business and Economic Transformation chaired the roundtable to
gather insight on running co-operatives and non-financial
mutuals.
It follows the Department for Business and Trade's call for
evidence on business support for co-operatives and non-financial
mutuals, launched as part of last year's Autumn Budget, which is
collecting responses until 18 February.
Scotland Office Minister said:
Co-operatives and mutuals strengthen Scotland's economy by
creating stable jobs, keeping money in local areas, and
supporting businesses.
There is so much potential for co-operative growth in Scotland
and the UK Government is committed to doubling the size of the
sector.
Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation said:
Co-operatives and mutuals play a vital role in strengthening
local economies and giving people a real stake in the places they
live and work in.
Today's discussion was a great opportunity to learn about the
sector's experience and explore how we can help these models grow
and thrive.
The meeting brought together representatives from business
representative organisations, co-operative development agencies,
and a diverse range of co-operatives, non-financial mutuals and
employee-owned businesses from across Scotland.
Chief Financial Officer of Scotmid Co-operative Craig Strachan
said:
As Scotland's largest independent co-operative with deep roots in
local communities, Scotmid is always looking towards the future
of the sector. Sharing real-world experience from across the
co-operative movement is an essential component in understanding
what helps them succeed and endure.
By bringing together perspectives from across the industry,
discussions like today's are crucial to progress forward-thinking
actions to support the sector in sustainable growth.
A range of perspectives from across the sector contributed to the
discussion, which will inform the government's next steps in
developing policy to ensure organisations are supported to start,
grow and sustain – and existing businesses are
supported to transition into a co-operative or mutual
model.
The roundtable was attended by representatives from Media Co-op,
Community Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, Energy4All, Supporters
Direct Scotland, Scotmid, West Whitlawburn Housing Co-operative,
West Granton Housing Co-operative, Building Societies
Association, Employee Ownership Association, Esteem Training,
Co-ops UK, Jerba Campervans Ltd, Social Enterprise Scotland, and
Plunkett Ltd.
