People we've helped

Maracuja

Category

Community

The passion of a new generation of Rochdale pioneers has come together in Maracuja, meaning ‘passion fruit’.

Maracuja established itself as a community co-operative and began trading in January 2011, with ambitious plans to open Rochdale’s first Anglo-African Cultural Centre, offering an ethnic cafe, exhibition space and entertainment. It has signed a five-year lease on a property that needs refurbishment and is looking to raise funds for the work through a community share issue.

So far, 50 members have invested, but they still need to recruit more members if their dream is to fly. The community co-operative was established with the objective of raising awareness and appreciation of Afro-Caribbean culture. It has formed an African artists’ forum to help artists promote their work by offering them exhibition space on their website and in their future cultural centre.

Support is also provided to disadvantaged people from Afro-Caribbean backgrounds. The co-operative aims to help them gain confidence to go further in employment or higher education, by providing skills for employment and creating volunteering and job opportunities.

“The Hub gave us some good consultancy, which contributed greatly to making our vision become real. What we’re doing today, and how far we’ve come, is mostly due to its support. ” Peggy Mulongo

Maracuja also provides consultancy on a broad range of African issues. This encompasses everything from expert advice on culture and awareness to engagement, business and investment consultancy, and guidance on tourism. This inspiring new co-operative wants to serve the African community whilst bringing appreciation of African culture to the wider population.

HOW WE HELPED

We helped Maracuja to incorporate itself as a community co-operative, providing the necessary legal and governance advice.
We developed a business plan and undertook a cash flow forecast, designed to ensure Maracuja had a sustainable future.
We also helped Maracuja to launch a community share issue, to generate sufficient funds to refurbish their premises.

Jo Bird, the Hub adviser, said: “Maracuja’s vision was developed in a co-operative spirit; to have a community business, owned by the local people, for everyone’s benefit.”