What is a co-operative?
Unicorn Grocery is a worker's cooperative, which
means we are owned and
run by our workforce.
As cooperative members, we are all company directors. We take
responsibility equally for the decisions that govern our business,
from long-term strategy, to budgets and recruitment, to procedures
that run the  shop
from day to day. Strong lines of communication and regular meetings
connect each of us to all the diverse areas of the business.
Our Co-op is non-hierarchical, which means that there is no
top-down management system. All members are expected to self-manage,
as well as simultaneously managing each other, which relies on
a great deal of initiative, hard work, and trust!
From 4 members to 50, we have always (wherever possible) made
decisions through consensus. As you may imagine, this requires
enormous patience and respect! Consensus may not always seem like
the easiest or quickest method, but the advantages are well worth
it. We learn from one another all the time, and are able to make
strong, well-founded decisions upheld by a unified and active
membership. This kind of decision making is one of the things
that give every member a real sense of 'ownership' of the business;
unlike in most jobs we are certainly not divorced from the  decisions
we make!
A diverse range of skills is vital in any cooperative. We know
that the insight and energy of a new recruit is as valuable as
the experience gained from long service. By offering a flat rate
of pay, we encourage an equal sense of ownership and worth in
all members.
We hope our example will inspire others to pursue a cooperative
way of working. We are always happy to give advice, answer questions,
or arrange visits for people to learn more about how we work.
For more information, contact office@unicorn-grocery.co.uk.
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Further Reading
Unicorn Grocery is a registered Industrial
and Provident Society, bound by 'White Rules' first
laid out in the Industrial Common Ownership Movement
(ICOM) Act of 1976. This new model of business retains
control with its participants, and offers some protection
against financial risks. Coops are part of an international
movement for commerce to give back to the community
by upholding a social agenda. See www.coop.org
The Rochdale Pioneers inspired the
development of the Co-operative movement. With principles
including honesty and community involvement. Find
out more from
museum.co-op.ac.uk
History of the Rochdale Cooperative
The Rochdale cooperative is probably the most
well known of all the early cooperatives. While it
was not the first cooperative business, it was the
first to be successful over a long period of time.
For
the full story.
There are many other worker co-operatives
worth finding out about, here's a couple we really
recommend a visit to...
 www.dailybread.co.uk
soundbitesderby.org.uk
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