Co-operate to grow Edinburgh economy

EDINBURGH'S economy would grow significantly if there were more co-operative and employee owned companies, according to Co-operative Development Scotland.

The Scottish Enterprise subsidiary is urging local entrepreneurs throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians to explore co-ownership as part of the UK's first Co-operatives Fortnight from 19 June to 3 July.

Co-operative and employee owned business models are attracting increasing interest from businesses and policymakers across the UK seeking more productive and profitable ways of working. It is widely recognised that a combination of shared ownership and employee participation delivers superior business performance and sustainability.

In Edinburgh, local success stories include the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative, a co-operative with 100 members,160 employees, six shops across the UK and a successful online store.

"It is traditionally hard in retailing to motivate staff to provide good customer service," explains Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative co-founder Jeremy Miles, who is also member of the CDS Advisory Board. "But because many of our employees are also owners of the business, they are really passionate about what they do and are more engaged and motivated as a result. This has been a key component of our success as the business has expanded."

Another local success story is Bridges: The Actors' Agency – Scotland's only actors' co-operative. Based in Edinburgh's West End, its members are 13 professional actors working in the world of theatre, radio, television, voice-over, corporate and film.

With specialist help from CDS, they formed the co-operative in 2008 to pool their skills and resources and have since attracted increasing work from theatre companies, broadcast producers and casting agents.

"There is a genuine spirit of co-operation among us," says Bridges member Carrie Mancini. "The acting profession can be very hard and lonely, but in the co-op you feel supported by a group of like-minded people."

Also in Edinburgh's West End is Atomised, a worker co-operative specialising in ethical web design and development. It was set up with specialist advice from CDS in 2008 and works with the charitable, voluntary and public sectors.

Alasdair Macmillan, one of three founding directors, said: "There's a real loyalty and ownership, because we're all equal. We share all the decisions, we share ownership and we're all at the same level. It's a flat structure and that, for us, really works."

CDS promotes co-operative and employee owned enterprise across Scotland and is widely supporting Co-operatives Fortnight.

The initiative is organised by Co-operatives UK, the membership organisation for co-operative enterprise, and will promote co-operative business models with the theme – There is an Alternative – and a website – http://www.thereisanalternative.coop/

For more information, please contact Victoria Masterson on 07733 301715 or Ian Spinney on 07973 671773.

About CDS

CDS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scottish Enterprise. The organisation was established by the Scottish Government to promote and support the development of co-operative and employee owned business models throughout Scotland. CDS supports the remit of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Business Gateway. A specific focus is on growth industries, including food and drink, renewable energy, forestry and tourism. Co-operative business models have a major role to play in the growth of these sectors. 

CDS has its own Advisory Board comprising industry representatives and co-operative experts.  By working closely with key partners, CDS aims to demonstrate the improved productivity, sustainability and community benefits that co-operative models can offer. Its remit is to:

• Raise awareness of co-operative business models

• Help new and existing co-operatives to grow
• Develop markets for co-operative businesses

Some of Scotland's best-known co-operative and employee owned businesses include Tullis Russell, Loch Fyne Oysters, Highland Home Carers, First Milk, John Lewis Partnership, The Co-operative Group and Scotmid.

www.cdscotland.co.uk/