Co-operatives UK - Co-operatives Fortnight

Co-operatives Fortnight

In 2010, Co-operatives UK co-ordinated the UK's first ever Co-operatives Fortnight, running from 19 June to 3 July. The fortnight was marketed as an opportunity to promote the co-operative alternative – under the slogan "There is an alternative" – to tradition business models, and included over 150 events in every region and devolved nation in the UK, over 3,000 stores promoting the Fortnight nation-wide and over 4,000 people watching the Co-operatives Fortnight film. During the Fortnight, 13 co-operative schools were also established and two parliamentary motions were passed in Westminster and Edinburgh.

The event was made possible by eight "founding sponsors": The Co-operative Group, The Midcounties Co-operative, Midlands Co-operative Society, Anglia Regional Co-operative Society, The Southern Co-operative, Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society, Lincolnshire Co-operative and Channel Islands Co-operative Society. Co-operatives UK are currently analysing the impact of the Co-operative Fortnight.

It was recently confirmed that Co-operatives Fortnight would continue in 2011, between 25 June and 9 July. This year's theme will be "Yours to Share".