Is Starting a Co-op Right for You?
![Is Starting a Co-op Right for You? 14 March 2024 Is Starting a Co-op Right for You? 14 March 2024](https://www.ruralnetwork.scot/sites/default/files/events/CDS%20-%20facebook%20%281%29.jpg)
Centre for Contemporary Arts - 350 Sauchiehall Street Glasgow G2 3JD
Are you 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?
Join our free, in-person session Is Starting a Co-op Right for You? at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow on 14 March 2024.
Our session - brought to you by Co-operative Development Scotland - is part of a wider series of events taking place across the UK through Co-operatives UK‘s Business Support for Co-ops programme.
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 co-op specialist from Co-operate Scotland and features guests from local co-ops:
- Fractals Co-operative
- Loco Home Retrofit
Our guests will share their experiences of starting and running a co-op.
This informative and interactive workshop will give you a more in-depth understanding of co-operatives, as well as the next steps for starting one. You’ll discover:
- A brief history of co-ops
- The different kinds of co-ops and which might suit you best
- What membership means
- The strengths of co-ops versus traditional business models
- Co-op values and principles
- Co-op facts and figures
- The different legal forms a co-op can take
- Support for Co-ops from Co-operative Development Scotland and Co-operatives UK
Tea and coffee will be provided on arrival and the light lunch will be available after our speakers have presented.