History of the Co-operative Movement
In 1844 a group of 28 men opened a store in Toad Lane, Rochdale, to sell wholesome and unadulterated food at fair prices, which would be run by and for the benefit of customers.
The Rochdale Pioneers, as they would become known, were brave men. It was a time when poverty was rife, and workers were treated badly working long hours, for bad pay, and in terrible conditions.
It took courage and foresight to take the first steps to establish their small shop in Toad Lane, but it was here that the modern day co-operative movement was born. Their rented shop sold butter, flour, sugar, oatmeal and tallow (candles).
Their model was based on seven principles:
1. Open Membership
2. Democratic control (one person, one vote)
3. Distribution of the surplus to the members in proportion to their transactions
4. Limited interest on capital
5. Political and religious neutrality
6. Cash trading
7. Promotion of education
Using this model more than 500 independent Co-operative societies had been established by the early 1860s, and are still the hallmarks of co-ops throughout the world today.
