Co-op on the move

Date published: 01/03/2008

The movement that started in Rochdale in 1844, where leaders became the early pioneers for the world-wide Co-operative movement could soon be moving from its current headquarters in Manchester to neighbouring Oldham.

Oldham Council’s regeneration site in Hollinwood is one of eight sites to be short-listed by the Co-operative Group to house Co-op headquarters.

If they did move in, it would be by the end of 2010 and the site would accommodate 2,500 employees.

The regeneration site is located off Oldham Road, opposite Hollinwood Business Centre, close to the M60 junction.

Hollinwood was short listed from 40 submissions from around Greater Manchester.

The site the Co-op is looking for is around 200,000 sq ft with a potential expansion of 50,000 sq feet.

The Co-op is the world’s largest co-operative society with a number of subsidiaries in insurance and finance.

The Rochdale Pioneers Museum in Rochdale traces the early movement of the Co-op.