Community Co-operatives
“A community co-operative is a multi-functional business run for local benefit and directly owned and controlled by the community in which it operates. Some of its activities may be social in character, but it must make a profit overall”
(HIDB, 1979 - quoted in The impact of community co-operatives on shopping behaviour in rural communities, E. Calderwood and K. Davies).
While a number of community shop models exist, many community retailers choose to set up as co-operatives. This gives every member of the community the opportunity to have a direct and equal say in how the business is run, and all are bound together by common ethics, goals and in the spirit of co-operation.
A Co-operative structure can have a number of legal forms, including a Company Limited by Guarantee or an Industrial and Provident Society. To become a member of a co-operative, you need to buy a share in it. It doesn't matter whether you have one share or fifty because one member equals one vote. Shares don't need to cost a lot, typically £25 to £50, but can provide an opportunity for the local community to invest in the enterprise - important in raising capital and in increasing engagement.