Gordon Brown opens Co-op headquarters

Gordon Brown during his speech to Co-op staff

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A new chapter for United Co-operative began in Rochdale on Friday 7 January, with the formal opening of their new Headquarters at Sandbrook Park, Rochdale. Opening the curtain to reveal the plaque was The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, assisted by United Chief Executive, Peter Marks. Also present were, Lorna Fitzsimons MP, Jim Dobbin MP, Phil Woolas MP and Councillor Alan Brett.

After a meeting with the Directors of Co-operative organisation, and a guided tour of the building, Mr Brown arrived at the reception area to unveil the plaque. During his speech to open the building Mr Brown said, “This is the community where the co-operative movement was first established 160 years ago. 800 million people are associated with the co-operative movement in more than 100 countries, and Rochdale is right at the centre of that achievement”.

“I congratulate the staff on what they do to uphold the principles of the co-operative movement, to provide a service to all the people in this region and beyond. It’s not just the work you do but it is the fundraising and charitable events that are carried out here. In this new era, I hope to see the co-operative movement, as one of the biggest co-operative organisations in Europe, to expand and grow even more in the years to come”.

Mr. Brown also announced the news of the co-operative’s generosity toward the tsunami disaster in South East Asia. “The Co-op have donated  £100,000 to the disaster fund in South East Asia, this is a wonderful contribution. If every company in the country was able to give something like this, how much more would be contributed to the fund? This emphasises the great principles that this company has held from its beginning 160 years ago.”

The staff of The United Co-operative organisation applauded as Mr. Brown revealed the named plaque on the wall of the reception area at the front of the building.

Lorna Fitzsimons MP was delighted that the United Co-operative has relocated in Rochdale. She said “We have Gordon and his economic policies to thank for the lowest unemployment in my generation in Rochdale. We are very grateful that the co-op decided to use Rochdale as a home for the co-operative movement. It’s just one example of the change in the economic destiny of Rochdale. A business that is turning over almost 2 billion pounds worth of sales are investing here in Rochdale, and we are grateful for that.”

Councillor Allen Brett said, "I am exeptionally happy to see the Co-op return to Rochdale - this benefits many people. It is also an enormous employment boost for us, and I am proud for this to take place in Rochdale".

United Co-operatives moved its headquarters to Rochdale in the summer of 2004. It is the largest independent co-operative society in the UK with a turnover of £1.7 billion and employing 15,500 staff.  Its major businesses are Food, Travel, Car Dealerships, Pharmacies and Funerals and its main trading area covers the Midlands, North West and Yorkshire. During 2004 the Society has announced a 10th year of record profits as well as an aggressive £100 million acquisition programme which has already seen major businesses acquired in the Food, Travel and Motor sectors.
 
The Society - which presents itself as Your Community Retailer - has given more than £1 million to local good causes in its trading area since it established the Co-operative Charitable Foundation in 2000.
 
Mr Brown's visit also marks the 160th anniversary of the founding of the first modern co-operative Society, in Toad Lane, Rochdale, in December 1844.
 
The Sandbrook Park HQ has already won a number of awards for its environmental features. These include 227 metres of solar panels to increase energy efficiency, detectors which minimise the use of lighting and water recycling.