Enterprise Hub to support a ‘co-operative a day’

The Co-operative Group will underline its commitment for member-owned enterprises by supporting a new co-operative business every day in 2011.

The Group, announcing a 50 per cent increase in its funding for The Co-operative Enterprise Hub - which was piloted in the North West - to £7.5 million, has set a target of nurturing more than 350 enterprises throughout the year to create and grow thriving and sustainable community-based co-operatives.

The Co-operative Enterprise Hub - a £7.5 million investment in the co-operative sector by The Co-operative Group, the world’s largest consumer co-operative with more than five million members, is a business support service dedicated to the creation and growth of member-owned enterprises across England and Wales.

From pubs to grocers and cafes to childcare, the co-operative approach is enjoying renewed interest from a public concerned for environment, ethical trading, accountability and sustainability.

Peter Marks, Chief Executive of The Co-operative Group, said: “With flaws exposed in traditional business models, more and more people are recognising that there is an alternative which enables them to take a lead and have a say in the running of businesses and services important to their lives.

“The co-operative model offers an alternative way to do business and provides a robust approach to enterprise that can help to restore a lost sense of community cohesion and can contribute to the re-building of a more balanced and sustainable UK economy.”

The Co-operative Enterprise Hub operates through a central website with a network of regional co-operative development specialists providing dedicated advice, training and guidance – including up to four days free tailored business consultancy - to support the creation and growth of sustainable member-owned enterprises.

For more information about The Co-operative Enterprise Hub - how to set up a co-operative enterprise and the support, advice and finance available to new and existing co-operative businesses – visit www.co-operative.coop/enterprisehub or email enterprise@co-operative.coop