Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Tens of thousands across the UK celebrated a successful first Co-operatives Fortnight

by Ethos public relations

Across the UK, tens of thousands of people have celebrated the first ever Co-operatives Fortnight, which ran from 19 June to 3 July. From events to early day motions, Twitter and tastings, members and supporters of co-operatives have got together to promote the co-operative alternative.

Co-ordinated by Co-operatives UK – the trade association for co-operative enterprises – Co-operatives Fortnight united the whole co-operative sector to demonstrate that there is an alternative way of doing business where profits and ownership are shared.

Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: “This was the first ever Co-operatives Fortnight and we’re delighted with its success. It was a collaboration between thousands of people and made an incredible difference – it excited and united co-operatives everywhere and really helped us all to promote the sector.”

Over the course of Co-operatives Fortnight, an incredible range of activities took place, including:

•    Over 150 events in every region and devolved nation in the UK
•    Over 3,000 stores promoting the Fortnight nation-wide
•    Over 4,000 people watching the Co-operatives Fortnight film
•    Thousands getting involved through online social networks
•    13 co-operative schools being established
•    Two parliamentary motions being passed: one in Westminster, one in Edinburgh
•    The first formula for co-operation being revealed
•    And Co-operatives UK announcing that the co-operative economy has grown to £33.5 billion.

Meanwhile, during the Fortnight, HF Holidays held open days and gave away free cream teas at seven of its country houses, Unicorn Grocery in Manchester created a dance video, Cycle Training UK took over a local park to show the fun of teamwork, nearly 1,000 people attended Midlands Co-operative’s celebration of international co-operation at Aston Villa’s football ground and the Co-operative Group brought hundreds of school pupils to the Stadium of Light in Sunderland to learn about co-operation.

In research commissioned by Co-operatives UK, as part of Co-operatives Fortnight, co-operatives are now associated with being fair by the majority of people (75%, compared to 18% who associate PLCs with fairness). And 67% of people can now name more than one co-operative business.

“We are as pleased as punch that so many of our members used Co-operatives Fortnight as an opportunity to promote themselves and the wider co-operative sector,” Ed Mayo said.

“And we’re delighted to have had the support of the Founding Sponsors – not just because they made Co-operatives Fortnight a reality, but also because their enthusiasm and the events they held really raised the profile of the Fortnight.”

The founding sponsors, each of which ran a variety of events and promotions to members and customers throughout the Fortnight, were: The Co-operative Group, The Midcounties Co-operative, Midlands Co-operative, Anglia Co-operative Society, The Southern Co-operative, Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society, Lincolnshire Co-operative and Channel Islands Co-operative Society.

Co-operatives UK is carrying out a detailed evaluation of Co-operatives Fortnight to determine exactly how many co-operatives took part and how many of their members, customers and the local community got involved.

Posted at 14^th July 2010