Co-op ‘brews-up’ awareness and growth in member-ownership and co-operation with series of pop-up cafés and local events

14 November 2024

Co-op is hosting family friendly pop-up cafes in city centres alongside a series of more than 100 local events to bring to life the benefits of co-operation in communities.

The pop-up cafés will take place in Edinburgh, Cardiff and London with an opportunity to meet members of Co-op’s Board, representatives of its National Members’ Council - helping members understand more about the business they own and the wide range of social, economic and ownership benefits of membership.

The events will include free Fairtrade coffee, tea or hot chocolate and cake, plus a range of activities for Co-op’s Member-Owners to engage and have a say. There are also chances to win tickets to shows at Co-op Live - the UK’s largest indoor entertainment arena of which Co-op is the naming rights partner.

Non-members are also very welcome to come along and find out more about the benefits of joining Co-op.

Earlier this year, Co-op launched one of its biggest ever campaigns, ‘Owned by You. Right By You’, and is committed to demonstrating how being part of a co-operative benefits and, creates value, for its members and their communities.

Alongside the three pop-up cafés, there are more than 100 local events in stores, Funeralcare branches, or community buildings.

Members can learn more about Co-op’s investment in lowering the prices of hundreds of products with member-only prices across a wide range of everyday essentials along with personalised offers via the Co-op Membership App.

Find out more about how members helped Co-op’s Local Community Fund support and make a difference to more than 20,000 community causes since 2020. Causes with a focus on the issues that members say matter most to them, that create sustainable futures for people and our planet and, promote healthy, viable, and resilient communities - causes that: support young people to fulfil their potential; improve mental wellbeing; provide access to food; tackle climate change; reduce waste and resource use; and protect nature.

Plus, hear more about how Co-op boosts support for local community fund causes through its ‘Winners Share It All’ prize draw which offers 10 chances to win £5,000 for causes and £500 for Co-op members each month.

The three pop-up cafés are located at:

• Edinburgh: Leith Street, Unit 1.03, St James Quarter, Edinburgh, EH1 3AR. Friday 15 November. 9:30am – 4:30pm. You can book your place here

• Cardiff: Coffi Co, 31 Mermaid Quay, Cardiff, CF10 5BZ. Friday 22 November. 9:30 – 4:30pm. You can book your place here

• London: Ace Corner, Ground Floor and Basement, 149-150 Shoreditch High St, London, E1 6JQ. 10am-5pm - Saturday 23 November. You can book your place here

Dominic Kendal-Ward, Co-op Group Secretary and General Counsel, said: "Co-op is a different way of doing business. We want to work with our members, who own our business, to make co-operation itself as successful, relevant and appealing as possible. Co-operation is fairer and gives a voice to members and communities and, can provide a solution to many of the challenges we face today; if the benefits of co-operation were better understood, everyone would want to get behind it. These events will provide an opportunity to show how member-owners get a say in how the business is run, save on the products and services you need and use the most, and make a difference on the issues that matter in the communities where you live."

Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operatives, with its history dating back 180 years. Its members own the business and play an intrinsic part in the governance of the organisation. Co-op is on track to its ambition of growing to eight million members by 2030.

Further information about the benefits of Co-op Membership is available at coop.co.uk/membership

For more information about the pop-up cafés and to find local events, visit https://www.co-operative.coop/get-involved/memberevents

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About Co-op:
Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives with interests across food, funerals, insurance and legal services. Owned by millions of UK consumers, the Co-op operates almost 2,400 food stores, over 800 funeral homes and provides products to over 6,000 other stores, including those run by independent co-operative societies and through its wholesale business, Nisa Retail Limited. Employing 56,000 people, the Co-op has an annual turnover of over £11billion and is a recognised leader for its social goals and community-led programmes. The Co-op exists to meet members’ needs and stand up for the things they believe in.

Further information:
Andrew Torr
Senior Press Officer, Co-op Press Office
M: 07702505551
E: andrew.torr@coop.co.uk