Allendale Co-operative Society is a small
consumer co-operative
A consumers' co-operative is an enterprise owned by consumers and managed democratically and that aims at fulfilling the needs and aspirations of its members. Such co-operatives operate within the market system, independently of the state, as a f ...
in the village of
Allendale,
Northumberland
Northumberland () is a county in Northern England, one of two counties in England which border with Scotland. Notable landmarks in the county include Alnwick Castle, Bamburgh Castle, Hadrian's Wall and Hexham Abbey.
It is bordered by land ...
, England. Founded in 1874 as the Allendale Industrial and Provident Society, the co-operative is one of the few remaining British co-operative retail societies still operating from a single village store.
The co-operative is incorporated as a
registered society, and as a
consumer co-operative
A consumers' co-operative is an enterprise owned by consumers and managed democratically and that aims at fulfilling the needs and aspirations of its members. Such co-operatives operate within the market system, independently of the state, as a f ...
the society is owned and democratically controlled by its members who are its customers. Alongside general meetings the members elect a board of directors to oversee the management of the society.
In 2019 the co-operative had 1841 members, a turnover of £1.8m, assets of £2.0m and 28 employees. In addition to the store the co-operative also operates a delivery service for the surrounding rural area, as well as leasing out another shop in the village to a butchers and some residential property.
As an independent society the co-operative is able to take advantage of the purchasing power of the national retail co-operative wholesaler,
Federal Retail and Trading Services, while also sourcing products from local and alternative suppliers.
See also
*
British co-operative movement
The United Kingdom is home to a widespread and diverse co-operative movement, with over 7000 registered co-operatives owned by 17 million individual members and which contribute £34bn a year to the British economy. Modern co-operation started wit ...
References
External links
Allendale Co-operative Society
{{DEFAULTSORT:Allendale Co-Operative Society
Consumers' co-operatives of the United Kingdom
Business services companies established in 1874
Retail companies established in 1874
Organisations based in Northumberland