Have you an idea for a small business? Do you want to make sure it runs in an ethical manner? Would you prefer to work co-operatively to establish it?
Jo Bird of Co-operative Business Consultants will lead a meeting on ‘Setting up a Community Business’ at the Adult Learning Centre opposite bus and metrolink stations in the middle of Bury on Thursday 8th March at 7pm. She will talk about free support and advice available to new co-operative businesses through the Co-operative Enterprise Hub. Come and listen – and bring your idea along to see if others can work with you and if Jo can offer you further help.
Jo has been involved with co-operatives since 1993. She is the founder of Olive Co-operatives, which promotes responsible tourism and fair trade with Palestinians and other Middle Eastern groups. As a consultant she has helped FC United of Manchester maintain their reputation as an innovative, ethical and community-based club and worked with Unicorn Grocery, one of the best known food co-operatives in Greater Manchester, as well as many other groups.
The impetus for this meeting has come from a group of people seeking to set up a community energy business in Bury borough. This group has looked most closely at the possibility of putting a wind turbine up in Philips Park, but may also consider using the energy of the Irwell for a water power project. It would welcome new members. We hope this meeting will be a shot in the arm for that development and the beginning of a longer term relationship with Jo Bird.
Whatever your business idea, bring it along.
This meeting is hosted by Transition Town Bury in co-operation with Bury Adult Education Service. Transition Town Groups across the country are taking action try to create a new economic base for our society which is less dependent on oil. We believe that local environmentally friendly businesses are essential to this and are an important part of the way forward for the future.
