Three years after the employees bought the business, there is plenty of work at one of the last traditional foundries in Scotland. Co-op Loan Fund is helping it adapt to the challenges of growth. Specialised Castings in Denny, near Falkirk, is one of just two iron foundries left in central Scotland, which was once the […]
A co-operative that brings together freelances, small businesses and community organisations is about to transform a five-floor building in the independent fringe of the centre of Bradford. The building at 14 North Parade, which has been empty for over a year, will include studio, office and meeting space for co-working, and a café with commercial […]
Co-operatives are known for being innovative and Co-op Loan Fund’s latest borrower is certainly that. It is also very unusual. Hempen, based near Reading, is the leading grower and producer of organic hemp CBD (cannabidiol) products in the UK. The worker co-op, which has six members and six volunteers, has been developing since 2015 By […]
A consultancy co-operative with offices in Newcastle and Glasgow has extended its reach across the UK with help from Co-op Loan Fund. Centrifuge Consulting provides a range of social and economic consultancy mostly to local authorities and other public sector organisations. Its work includes developing business cases, securing funding, designing and delivering policies and projects, […]
In 2017 Co-op Loan Fund provided six loans totaling £190,000. Since the fund started in 2002 it has lent nearly £5m to 157 co-operatives throughout the UK. When the loans are repaid the money is lent again to other co-operatives. Six loans were fully repaid during 2017. At the end of the year the fund […]
Co-op Loan Fund has new branding but its unique lending – from co-ops to co-ops – remains the same. The new brand includes the international co-op marque, which is being used increasingly by co-operatives across the globe. The name has been shortened to Co-op Loan Fund (previously it was The Co-operative Loan Fund), and the […]
Software development company Co-operative Web is an excellent example of how supportive finance from Co-op Loan Fund can help with business growth. The Birmingham-based workers’ co-operative builds systems, web applications and content-managed solutions across a range of technical platforms. It works with many different types of business from small social enterprises to large multi-nationals. Its […]
An Essex farm that is one of the leading practitioners of biodynamic farming and conservation has secured its long-term future by becoming a charitable community benefit society. The new community-owned venture is being helped by a loan from the Co-operative Loan Fund as part of the Just Growth programme. Lauriston Farm is located on the […]
A community benefit society that saved the pub in an Essex village last year has bought a second property that it will convert into a restaurant and affordable rented accommodation. On 19 September Great Oakley Community Hub Ltd completed the purchase of the property known as the Red House which stands next to the Maybush […]
A village pub in Derbyshire has re-opened after two years of closure, with new facilities and new owners – the local community. The Spotted Cow is now owned by a community benefit society with 225 members from the village of Holbrook and the surrounding area. They raised over £170,000 to finance the purchase, and The […]
