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Co-operative Futures

@coopfutures.bsky.social
567 followers 691 following 62 posts

Bespoke business consultancy and support for co-operative, mutual and community led start-up and existing businesses. Our Mission? More #Coops THE best option for people and planet. linktr.ee/coopfutures

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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Tickets are live! Power to the People tackles far-right populism, the mainstreaming of extremist ideologies, and narratives of division. Join us for practical ideas and political imagination rooted firmly in co-operative values. www.tickettailor.com/events/coope...
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Thanks to @coopnews.bsky.social for sharing this. Tickets available now for the next Future Co-ops Conference: Power to the People. www.tickettailor.com/events/coope...
tickettailor.com
Buy tickets – Power to the People - Future Co-ops 2026 – The Priory Rooms
Power to the People - Future Co-ops 2026 – The Priory Rooms, Fri 27 Feb 2026 - Sat 28 Feb 2026 - Across the UK society is divided. The rise of the far-right has unleashed violence against asylum seek...
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Co-op News @coopnews.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Debbie Robinson to take the CEO role after Central and Midcounties #coops merger
thenews.coop
Debbie Robinson to take the helm after Central and Midcounties merger
A transitional board has chosen the leadership team for the new co-op formed from the Central and Midcounties merger
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Strong words from #SaveBirmingham in this letter to BCC. They are going public with their growing concerns re the disposal of public assets and are seeking clarity, consistency and fairness for Brummies. savebirmingham.org/news/save-bi...
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Future Co-ops 2026 is officially in the planning stage. We still need to book a venue & decide on the theme, BUT we have nailed down a date: Fri 27th & Sat 28th Feb 2026 Have an idea for a brilliant & topical theme? Or suitable venue (potentially in Swindon or Worcester)? We'd love to hear it!
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Richard Hull @richardhull54.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
What an inspiring story about @giroscope-hull.bsky.social. #Co-ops #Cooperatives #WorkersCo-ops #SocialEnterprise #Housing #Renewal Read more here giroscope.org.uk www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
theguardian.com
‘Why not work the system’? How punks inspired by Thatcher built a Hull housing cooperative
Set up in the 1980s, Giroscope has morphed into a social agency running neighbourhood services and creating jobs
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
The long build up to Future Co-ops 2026 is officially starting. We need to book a venue, plan a marketing campaign, and most importantly decide on the theme. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Drop us a comment below.
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
Government wants to double the size of the co-op economy. At today’s pace, it will take decades. Read @cooperativesuk.bsky.social new report: www.uk.coop/economy on growth that keeps money local, creates good jobs & builds resilient communities. #coops #cooperatives #economy #CoopEconomy
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
1. This is something I've been saying for 25 years, but it's hard to get many people to listen. What counts is not the new energy sources you add, but the old ones you retire. Unfortunately it's politically easier to build renewables than to shutter fossil fuels.🧵 www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
forbes.com
The Renewable Illusion: Why Fossil Fuels Keep Winning
Global renewables hit records in 2024, but fossil fuel use still rises. Here’s why solar’s surge isn’t enough—and what the latest energy data really shows.
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Still time to invest in community shares and breathe life back into the wilderness! www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/thewildern... The Wilderness Centre - a Community crowdfunding project in Mitcheldean by The Wilderness Centre
crowdfunder.co.uk
The Wilderness Centre
Wylderne are breathing life back into the Wilderness to create a place where people of all ages can feel they belong.
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
‘For our community, by our community’ embodies exactly what co-ops are about! Well done everyone at Wolvercote Mill for creating a vibrant community space that enhances the well being of local people 💚 Find them here: www.thewolvercotemill.org #CoopFortnight #IYC2025
thewolvercotemill.org
Wolvercote Mill
Community space in Wolvercote, Oxford for groups, events and room hire.
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Join Co-operatives West Midlands, for an evening of networking & a celebration of the region's thriving #coops sector at their International Year of Co-operatives 2025 Celebration Event! 📍 25th June 2025, 4pm to 7pm @ BRIG Cafe at the Warehouse, Birmingham www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/internatio...
eventbrite.co.uk
International Year of Co-operatives Celebration
Join Co-operatives West Midlands for an evening of networking and a celebration of the region's thriving co-operative sector!
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
We launched a refreshed version of our website (futures.coop) earlier this year & we’d love your thoughts! Can you spare some time to visit the website & take a 2-3 minute anonymous survey? Please respond before Monday 7th July 2025. Complete survey ➡️ forms.gle/NfipyoM5f3rR...
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
As we reach the midway point of the year we’re reflecting on what has been a busy time for us. Check out our year at a glance…
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
First workshop as part of the #Oxfordshire Care Co-op Project Pilot. Learn about #cooperative models of care provision, how to get involved in our new project & share your experiences of care. £20 voucher for participants/Dinner/Play space for kids www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-can-we...
eventbrite.co.uk
How can we build new models of care?
Lunch for care-workers and care-users and participatory research workshop
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
Working together, local housing can be different…. come along and find out more! Community First Oxfordshire is hosting two events around housing: 📍 20th May, 7.30pm, Didcot Civic Hall, OX11 7JN 📍 10th June 2025, 7.30pm, Chesterton Village Hall, OX26 1UN 🎟 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/together-w...
eventbrite.co.uk
Together we can do housing differently. Come along to find out more!
Join our events where communities involved in community-led housing will share their experience, providing practical advice and inspiration
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
This year's Future Co-ops conference featured a series of practical workshops, to explore and agree on outcomes and asks across four different areas. Read more about 'The Trouble with Double' here > futures.coop/future-co-op...
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
If you missed our Future Co-ops Conference at the start of the year there was a write up of the event by @coopnews.bsky.social > www.thenews.coop/what-does-do...
thenews.coop
What does 'doubling' the co-op economy mean – and how do we do it?
Report from the Future Co-ops conference where co-op development workers met to discuss the agenda for the sector's growth
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Co-operatives UK @cooperativesuk.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
👋 We represent the UK’s co-operative sector. Our aim is for anyone in the UK to form or join thriving and sustainable co-operatives. Expect: 🫶 Inspiring content 📆 Brilliant events and training 🪧 Opportunities to engage with our campaigns and lobbying 🖱️ Read about out work at www.uk.coop #coops
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Plunkett UK @plunkettuk.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
You can raise FREE money for your #Combiz! Over 8,000 online retailers will donate to your #Combiz when your volunteers/supporters shop with them. + you will raise money for us!🤩 Find out more by signing up with @easyfundraising.bsky.social 👇 www.easyfundraising.org.uk/communit…
A sky blue background with a yellow circle with white text: 'Three ways your community business can recieve free funding' 

And three graphics, one of a plane, a lightbulb, and a phone/wifi symbol within a white and yellow circle
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Vica @vicarogers.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
I was gutted to not be able to attend the @coopfutures.bsky.social event due to my poor health. So thanks @coopnews for this excellent report. @coopnews.bsky.social www.thenews.coop/what-does-doubling…
thenews.coop
What does 'doubling' the co-op economy mean – and how do we do it? - Co-operative News
Report from the Future Co-ops conference where co-op development workers met to discuss the agenda for the sector's growth
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Come along to the Black County Living Museum to learn about the co-operative way of doing things! Co-ops for Creative Freelancers and Social Enterprise | Tuesday 11th March | 5:30 - 7pm www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/co-ops-for... #coops #blackcountry #creativeindustries
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
Very interesting read. Includes example of a social co-op located in Camini, a village in Southern Italy, where they initiated & manage a widespread migrants’ welcoming, reception and integration system with the project “Jungi Mundu” (“Unite the world”). www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
theguardian.com
Europe’s population crisis: see how your country compares – visualised
How anti-immigration politics across the EU clashes with demographic reality
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Co-op says it is holding firm on DEI having seen the benefits www.theguardian.com/business/202...
theguardian.com
Rollback on diversity policies ‘risks undoing decades of progress’, says Co-op
As Donald Trump reverses discrimination initiatives in the US, Co-op says it is holding firm on DEI having seen the benefits
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
As they say in the Basque Country: “Life is cooperatized here.” Can the UK ever get anywhere close to this level of co-operation? thealternative.org.uk/dailyalterna...
thealternative.org.uk
Mondragon as the new City-State—this cooperative could be its own country [The Elysian] — THE ALTERNATIVE
Excerpt from Elle Griffin’s Substack The Elysian, here : Mondragon is the largest group of worker cooperatives in the world. With 92 cooperatives in the industrial, financial, retail, and educa...
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Managing your books doesn’t have to be a headache! Join this 2-hour session designed to demystify bookkeeping. Suitable for early stage businesses and startups in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse. See link for more info and to book a FREE space. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/coffee-mor...
eventbrite.co.uk
Coffee Morning Bookkeeping: Taking the Confusion Out of Managing Your Books
Managing your books doesn’t have to be a headache! Join this informative 2-hour session designed to demystify bookkeeping.
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Community Shares Unit @comshares.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
New Community Share Offer with the Community Shares Standard Mark. @babbinswoodfarmcbs.bsky.social raising £1.5m to buy and save an organic farm and run it as a community owned farm and hub. See their @crowdfunder.bsky.social page here for full details: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-babbi...
Share offer document
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The Coop Insider @thecoopinsider.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
The #CoopInsider has always wanted to attend the Co-operative Futures conference but hasn’t managed to. Their work supporting new and innovative co-ops is vital for the movement. Honest conversations like ‘The Trouble with the Double’ are exactly what’s needed.
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The Coop Insider @thecoopinsider.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
Doubling the size of the co-op economy sounds ambitious, but with so many ghost co-ops and a movement struggling to support its own, is it realistic? Growth needs solid foundations and leadership, not just kind words. Does the UK cooperative movement have them? #CoopInsider #GhostCoops
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
That’s a wrap for Future Co-ops Conference 2025 in this International Year of Co-operatives. Thanks to everyone who came, our sponsors and our hosts! #FC2025 #IYC2025
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
Workshops and marketplace at #FC2025
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
Massive thanks to Central Co-op for hosting us here in Lichfield. Director Maryann Denfhy welcomed delegates during our first session. #FC2025
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
Morning session at #FC2025 - imagining the future & learning from the past. Sparked questions and discussion to be picked up in workshops throughout the day.
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
We’re in Lichfield for Future Co-ops Conference! Last night kicked off with our panel responding to the government pledge to double the #coops economy. A day of workshops and discussion ahead. #IYC2025 #FC2025
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Sue Woodward @sue-woodward.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
What a lovely evening at the Future Coops conference here in #Lichfield. Great opportunity to network with fellow cooperators & to turn local challenges into opportunities. Thanks #FC2025
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Tickets are all gone for Future Co-ops 2025!. If you're coming along, we can't wait to see you. If you've missed out this time, we'll hopefully see you soon!
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Only a few tickets left now for the Future Co-ops Conference. And you only have until 9am on Monday 27th Jan to get one! Here's the link. Give it a click! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/future-co-...
eventbrite.co.uk
Future Co-ops 2025: The Trouble with Double
Join us for two days of lively discussion and debate getting to grips with what doubling the co-operative sector might look like.
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
So good to see the fabulous BaTcom in the news. Such a great project! With help from Co-op Futures the group behind this scheme are realising their vision of creating a valuable community resource that lowers the local carbon footprint and brings people together. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
‘People feel a sense of ownership’: the growth of community composting
Instead of burning or transporting their garden waste, residents of an English village built their own composting site
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
The Trouble with Double - Workshop 4: Political Levers How can we use political & economic levers to grow #coops Tell us what you think in the comments, or book a place at the conference! Tickets are selling like hot Staffordshire oatcakes, grab one now. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/future-co-...
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
We’re very grateful to Central Co-op for supporting the Future Co-ops conference this year and generously hosting The Trouble with Double at their fantastic support centre in Lichfield. Tickets selling quickly now so please do book asap if you'd like to attend! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/future-co-...
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Co-operative Party @coopparty.party.coop · 09/01/2025
🚨 NEW: We've written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer inviting him to meet with senior representatives of the co-operative sector to mark the UN Year of Co-operatives.
Dear Prime Minister,
The UN General Assembly has declared that 2025 is the International Year of Co-
operatives, to be celebrated under the theme ‘C o-operatives Build a Better World’ . I know
you will agree with me that an opportunity to promote co-operation across the international
community could not come at a better time.
Under your leadership, the Labour Party and now Labour Government have been strong
champions of the UK co-operative sector. In particular, the Government’s commitment to
work to double the size of the UK’s co-operative and mutual sector is a world-leading
ambition. We in the Co-operative Party have been heartened by the start made on realising
this ambition post-election, including the important references to co-operative and mutual
growth in the Chancellor’s first Mansion House speech.
There have been important consultations launched with the aim of growing the size and
number of Credit Unions, regulators have been asked to report to Parliament by the end of
2025 relating to their work supporting co-operative and mutuals, a new co-operative and
mutual Growth Council has been established and welcomed by Government, and co-
operatives have been referenced as an important part of the forthcoming Department for
Business and Trade Small Business Start Up strategy within the Treasury Red Book, for the
first time in many decades.
This progress added to Government policy relating to a new Community Right to Buy to
help drive community ownership and the Local Power Plan which contains world leading
commitments to the growth of community owned renewable energy generation schemes
helps demonstrate that this Government sees the benefits of co-operative development.
As part of the UN Year the General Assembly has set out a number of important calls of
member Governments:
1) Governments creating an enabling environment for co-operative s ;
2) Co-operatives promoting public awareness, developing new leaders, and leveraging
co-operation3) Institutions and development agencies promoting co-operatives through education,
strengthening capacities, and facilitating international collaboration ;
4) The public understanding the co-operative identity and supporting cooperative
initiatives .
The Co-operative Party endorses these as important aspects of supporting co-operative
development, we fervently believe that Governments can and should do much more to better
promote and support the co-operative sector. We fundamentally believe the growth of the
co-operative movement will produce greater local and regional economic growth and better
allow for communities to have a meaningful stake and say in the places and assets which
are important to them.
As you would expect, the Co-operative Party and wider movement will continue to work with
Ministers across Whitehall to help deliver upon Government co-operative commitments, and
we will also work to try and secure other opportunities for your good offices to recognise the
contribution of the co-operative sector to our national life through this important year.
To mark the UN Year, I would like to extend an invitation to you to meet with senior
representatives from the co-operative sector to hear about its role in and contribution to
economic growth, small business development and community cohesion. This would be a
helpful discussion and an opportunity to learn what more can be done to support this sector
to grow and meet our shared manifesto commitments.
Yours in co-operation,
Joe Fortune
General Secretary
Co-operative Party
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
Last time round we helped sponsors Co-op & Community Finance celebrate their 50th birthday. In 2025 we're celebrating International Year of Co-operatives. Tickets for Future Co-ops are selling fast. Book now & let's make this the year the sector grows & thrives! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/future-co-...
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
It sounds like something from the Hunger Games but it's actually a workshop that will confront the tough questions about resourcing the ambitious goal of doubling the co-operative sector. Let us know if you have thoughts/ideas and we'll add 'em to the discussion.
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
South London music venue to re-open. Resurrected by the Piehouse Co-op (a group of ex-staff, resident artists, and staff from other local grassroots venues who've formed a new workers co-op), with help from the @musicvenuetrust.bsky.social Crowdfunder is live! www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-piehou...
crowdfunder.co.uk
The Piehouse Returns - Help Us Open The Doors
The Piehouse Returns! We have agreed terms of lease with the landlords and now we need your help more than ever to open the doors!
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Need a new podcast for 2025? Punchcard from the UK based federation of worker led co‑operatives, might be the one! Hear guests sharing their stories, experiences and insights as members of #workercoops #coops www.workers.coop/podcast/
workers.coop
Episode Archive - workers.coop
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Co-op values align so well with the way young people want the world to be. From MeToo & Black Lives Matter, to headline grabbing action from Just Stop Oil & Extinction Rebellion. Can we harness a similar energy & use it to fight for alternative economic models & co-operation?
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
Yes we all look slightly mad. This is what planning Future Co-ops looks like! Forget the trouble with double - this is quadruple trouble! We can’t wait to see you in 2025. To all our friends, followers, clients and fellow co-operators, we wish you a merry Christmas, and a happy new year 🥳
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Gareth CUK @garethcuk.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
I am attempting to clone myself. Seriously, it will help with growth. Twice the trouble.
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Have a read of the summary findings from the Democratic Business Summit in Cardiff at the beginning of December in the latest newsletter from the Centre for Democratic Business 🔗 mailchi.mp/democraticbu... Appreciate the link to our Future Co-ops conference, The Trouble with Double too 😍
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Co-operative Futures @coopfutures.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
The Trouble with Double - Workshop 1: More, bigger or better? We’d need to set up just over 11,500 new #coops by the end of this Parliament to double the sector. What are the chances? And, while we’re focusing on creating lots of new start-ups what's happening to the existing 9,350? #FC2025
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