|
Community buy-out of the Natural Food Store
Under
new ownership – ours!
Popular shop is bought by its customers
November 6 2007
On
Saturday November 10th at 10 am over 200 proud new owners celebrate the buy-out
of the Natural Food Store on 23 North Lane, Headingley in Leeds. Each investing
a minimum of £100 each – some considerably more – members of the new
co-operative raised over £100,000 to buy and capitalise the business.
The
Natural Food Store sells
a huge range of groceries, whole-foods and food for special diets, as
well as fair trade and ethical goods, including toiletries and household
supplies. It is a
pivotal part of the Headingley community, as well as being a highly successful
business. Customers were dismayed when they learned that Chris and Sue Sharratt,
who ran the shop for over 20 years, were thinking of retiring. Would yet another
Headingley shop become a juice bar or take-out? Would the range of good quality
food shopping outlets dwindle further? Customers decided to fight back.
Under
the leadership of Headingley Development Trust, a new co-operative – an
Industrial and Provident Society- was set up to buy the shop and run the
business. Members were invited to join and invest, and four founder directors
led the buy-out, which went through on 23rd October. Chris and Sue, who were
delighted that the shop would continue and thrive, are staying on for a while as
employees to share their skills, knowledge and contacts. A new manager, Stuart
McClelland is in post and trading is brisk, particular as members come in to
meet “their man” and celebrate their ownership.
“We’re
very excited about the future”, says Linda Robbins, Society Secretary, and one
of those who have driven the buy-out. “Headingley has retained an important
retail outlet and customers and the community have taken the future into their
own hands. Members of the co-operative will be able to share in the financial
success of the business, as well as steering its strategic direction. And
membership is not closed. We are delighted to welcome all customers of the shop
into membership. “
Community-owned services are more common in rural areas. The co-operative’s
directors think this is one of the first times a community buy-out of a thriving
store has occurred in an urban area, with customers and the community making a
stand about the sort of high quality food they want to buy and how they want to
buy it – from a locally owned outlet, in walking distance, on public transport
routes and whose ethos they trust.
A
lively vibrant community needs a range of shops to meet its needs and over the
past 20 years the range of shops in Headingley has declined massively, with only
one or two independent food retailers left. This was one of the reasons for
Headingley Development Trust setting up the highly successful monthly farmers’
market, giving the local community a real alternative to supermarket food. The
trust is also leading an exciting venture to establish an arts and enterprise
centre in the former Headingley primary school.
Notes
Buy-outs
The
transfer or buy-out of assets by the community is a tried and tested model.
In
Cumbria (Hesket Newmarket) a co-operative of some fifty people bought a brewery
and then another co-operative was formed to buy the local public house. The Old
Crown was bought and extended by local people – each raising £1500 to buy the
business. Both these businesses are thriving. Across England there are many
other examples of local people working together to help solving the problems of
local services. The establishment of community-owned village shops is a
sustained developmental trend in rural communities over the past 15 years.
Recent research conducted by the Plunkett Foundation (2005) found that there are
currently around 150 examples of this form of community enterprise in England,
with others in Scotland and Wales. This is the first example – as far as we know
– of a buy-out in an urban area.
Headingley
Background
Several
years ago two changes in legislation and government policy combined to have a
drastic effect on the community of Headingley. The buy-to-let legislation made
it possible for landlords and student parents to buy not only terraced houses
but also semis with pleasant gardens; the increase in student numbers created
the demand. One household of inconsiderate young people with their loud music
or street football at 2a.m. could result in six For Sale signs within a month.
Soon elderly people who couldn’t face moving were left stranded in a street full
of students. Families with young children fled to friendlier areas. Three
primary schools closed. Shops in Headingley centre became vacant and were
replaced with letting agents, fast food outlets and charity shops. Pubs were
extended and new ones were built. Objections from residents were over-ruled. The
pubs attract large groups of fancy-dressed young revellers. In the mornings the
litter and detritus on the street tell a sorry tale. Many students spend freely
and this perceived wealth has resulted in rents for shop premises being raised
by as much as 60%, driving out many of the few remaining independent traders.
Community groups have cemented the remaining residents and fought hard to
persuade the city council and the university authorities to acknowledge the
problem. Policies have been written which address the issues and constraints are
placed on further development. Networks now exist which enable information to be
shared and action to be taken. The task now is not only to limit further
damage, but to repair that already done. Market forces and housing legislation
are starting to make a difference. There is a feeling that the tide may be
turning. A new confidence – partly generated by Headingley Development Trust and
other tireless community activists – has led to the realisation that
opportunities are there to be seized and people working together can make a
difference.
Linda
Robbins
Society Secretary
Natural Food Store Limited
info@naturalfoodstore.coop
Registered office:
7 Bainbrigge Road
Headingley
Leeds LS6 3AD
Tel 0113
2757810
Registered as an Industrial and Provident Society No.30242R
|
