Workshop: Is starting a co‑op right for you? Preston

In Preston or Lancashire and thinking of starting a business? Or looking for a different approach to your existing business or community venture? Do you want it to be inclusive, democratic and empowering for everyone involved? Yes? 

Co‑operative and Mutual Solutions has teamed up with Co‑operatives UK to deliver this FREE Is starting a co‑op right for you? workshop on Saturday 9 March at The Mandala in Preston. It will run from 10am to 1pm, followed by a buffet lunch until 2pm for everyone who attends.  

You’ll gain a deeper understanding of co‑ops as successful, values‑based businesses as well as their purpose and benefits. Find out if your business or community enterprise idea suits the co‑op model. 

Completely FREE to attend, this workshop is part of the Business Support for Co‑ops programme, which offers up to six days’ expert support to new and existing co‑ops, delivered with support from The Co‑operative Bank. 

Why co‑ops? 

All kinds of businesses operate as co‑ops – pubs, energy suppliers, taxi firms, bookstores, community gardens, wine sellers, farms, sports clubs and much more. 

They are run by their members, who can be customers, employees, residents or suppliers – and who have a say in how the co-op is run, making it a fairer, more collaborative and democratic way of doing business. 

Co-ops are also resilient as a business model. They are more than twice as likely to survive the early years of trading when compared to other start-up businesses.

What to expect  

The workshop will be led by a local co‑op expert. People from nearby co-operatives will also share their experiences of starting and running a co‑op. 

This informative, interactive and fun session will give you a more in-depth understanding of co‑operatives, as well as the next steps for starting one.

The workshop will be followed by a buffet lunch for everyone who attends. 

Who should attend?

Anyone keen to learn more about co-operatives, this includes:

• People and groups looking to start-up a business
• New start-ups and young businesses
• Existing businesses wanting to give employees more control and ownership
• Community enterprises wanting to give the community more control and ownership
• Businesses considering an employee buy-out or a more ethical model
• Anyone wanting to learn more about co-ops: business advisors, local authorities, community leaders, voluntary sector support agencies, etc

The details 

• Date: Saturday 9 March 2024
• Time: 10am to 2pm (buffet lunch from 1-2pm)
• Place: The Mandala, 18 Derby Street, Preston, PR1 1DT

Join us 

To sign up for the workshop, follow the BOOK HERE link, fill in the form – and we’ll see you in Preston! Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!  

Can’t make it? We are running workshops in partnership with co‑op experts throughout the country, so check our Discover Co‑ops page to see if there’s another session at a time and location to suit you.

By signing up to this event you agree to being contacted by Co‑operatives UK and the delivery organisation about this workshop.