History of co-ops

In 1844 the Rochdale Pioneers founded the modern co-operative movement in Lancashire, England, by opening a shop to provide an affordable alternative to poor quality and adulterated food and provisions that were common place.  This came at a time of chronic unemployment, poverty, hunger and social inequality.  It was met with prejudice and opposition from the establishment.  But the Pioneers decided it was time people were treated with honesty, openness and respect, that they should share in the profits that their custom contributed to, and that they should have a democratic right to have a say in their co-op.  Every customer of the shop became a member and had a true stake in the business.  To become a member, you were signing up to the co-operative values and principles (www.ica.coop) The Pioneers’ revolutionary thinking worked.  Today all co-ops still work to those Values & Principles set out all those years ago, although some have been slightly updated to reflect the modern world. At first the shop was only open two nights per week as the Pioneers had other jobs, but within 3 months, business had grown so much that it was open five days a week. 

The Rochdale Pioneers accelerated the provision of education by providing reading rooms and also enabled female members to cast their vote on key decisions years before women’s democratic rights were established politically.