Preston Co-op Development Network

Preston Co-op Development Network provides advice and support in the creation or conversion to co-operative business models. Co-operatives are democratically-owned businesses controlled by their members.

You may be:

• Freelancers or founders looking to start a business together
• Employees offered the chance to buy-out an owner looking to retire or move one
• Customers or a community looking to start or take over a shop, pub, or other local community asset.
• Businesses looking to structure a joint venture or the provision of shared services.
• Co-operatives can be formed to solve many shared problems and PCDN can provide a range of support from initial group formation and ideation through to business planning and eventual legal incorporation.

Thanks to UK Shared Prosperity Funding clients based in and around Preston can receive free advice, support and training. Clients across the rest of Lancashire may need to pay if we are not able to access national business support funding provided via Co-operatives UK.

What one top tip would you give to a business owner embarking on a growth plan?
You can waste time trying to perfect a plan with too many assumptions. Create something ‘good enough for now, safe enough to try’, experiment and iterate based on real-world results and learning.

Why is Lancashire a great place to grow a business?
Lancashire was the birthplace of the first co-op started in Rochdale in 1844, now a £10bn revenue food and funeral care retailer.

Why are you backing Boost Business Lancashire?
Boost provides access to a range of specialist business providers. If you think a co-operative model is right for your business we can offer that specialist advice through Boost.