Co-operative Businesses - an idea working in practice In the past twenty years, more than 2500 businesses in the UK have registered as co-operatives Co-operatives demonstrate a superior growth and survival rate Co-operative Businesses believe in constructing a viable business which provides both security of employment, and a positive and supportive working environment quarantee an equal share of voting power to their members share profits fairly in return for fair sharing of responsibility and work load benefit those working in them and the community beyond Co-operative Businesses come about as: new enterprises established by poeple of all ages and backgrounds wanting to work in a business they own ownership of a business being passed to the workers by a retiring business owner responses to the contracting out of services rescue of a business in difficulties Co-operative Businesses range across trades and professions from: engineering to transport crafts to the caring professions mining to the arts Essex Co-operative Development Agency works to make the co-operative option available to local people We can: answer your questions about co-operatives advise on the setting up or development of your business ensure that new co-operatives are legally structured in the most advantageous way help with the development of co-operative management skills arrange the opportunity to work and trade with other co-operatives Priorities and projects are decided upon democratically by our membership Membership is free and open to all individuals and organisations that support co-operative principles Contact us for more information on how you can contribute to the progress of the co-operative movement