Greater Manchester Co-operative Commission recommends greater support for the sector

A report by the Greater Manchester Co-operative Commission has recommended further support for the sector can bring greater economic and social benefits to the city-region.

The commission has recommended Greater Manchester becomes a dedicated Co-operative Zone, and offers dedicated advice and support for existing co-operatives and traditional businesses to set up as or convert to a co-operative model.

Greater Manchester is often regarded as the home of the co-operative movement, where the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers was first established in 1844. Manchester remains the home of the world’s largest consumer owned business, the Co-operative Group.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham set up the Co-operative Commission in February 2019. He said:

The building blocks of cooperation in Greater Manchester are already strong and more than 160,000 people in the city-region are already members of a co-operative, with co-operatives contributing £73 million to the city-region’s economy.

“The commission has been crucial in drawing on the work that needs to be done to continue and further the success of co-operatives in Greater Manchester. I would like to thank them for all of their efforts in preparing this important report, and hope these recommendations can steer the co-operative community to bring even more benefits to our economy.”

Chair of the Greater Manchester Co-operative Commission and Leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Allen Brett said:

Our vision for Greater Manchester is one where people collaborate, communities are empowered and co-operatives grow and thrive. The Pioneers set up their first co-operative shop in Rochdale and we believe that Greater Manchester should continue to lead the way in co-operative innovation, applying the principles and values to create an economy based in maximising impact and productivity for all.

“That is what this report is all about, using this innovation and harnessing the power of co-operatives for the good of everyone in Greater Manchester. I hope that the co-operative community will use it to help build on all of the success they have already had as we look to build co-operation for a new decade.”

As well as creating a Co-operative Zone in the city-region, the report also recommended co-operative organisations as a solution to deliver community-led housing and transport projects, as well as helping to organise Greater Manchester’s growing numbers of freelancers and those in precarious employment.

The Greater Manchester Co-operative Commission’s full report is available to read on the GMCA website.