Press Release

Avon Co-operative Development Agency
Brave Ltd, The Coach House, 2 Upper York Street
Bristol BS2 8QN
Tel: 0117 989 2536
Fax: 0117 944 5661
email: info@avoncda.coop

Subject: Avon Co-operative Development Agency announces successful year

Date: February 2005

Avon Co-operative Development Agency (CDA) has announced the successful work it carried out in 2004. Working with people from the communities of Bristol, the CDA assisted in the establishment and development of a wide range of democratically controlled and stakeholder owned enterprises. CDA co-ordinator Brian Titley explained: "In a worker co-operative, the workforce own the business, democratically manage it, and share the rewards. Often this proves a suitable model for a retiring owner to sell the business to the workforce. Community co-operatives are owned by the community and controlled by people who access the services the co-operative provides. There is a wealth of types of co-operative."

The enterprises are based in all parts of the city and working in a diverse range of traditional business sectors including retail, housing, transport and printing as well as "new" sectors such therapy and community internet radio.

Examples of new co-operatives established:

• Zoom Co-operative carries out photographic processing and aims to become a supported co-operative - run and controlled by people with learning difficulties.
• Autoparts & Accessories Ltd, trading as "Autoquip" in Fishponds, is an autoparts business that was bought by the workforce when the owner wanted to sell it. Avon CDA assisted with business planning, access to finance and training.
• Sit Tight Records is a highly acclaimed hip-hop record label, registered in 2004 as a worker co-operative.
• Co-housing Bristol aims to retain a sense of community by collectively purchasing land upon which members can then build housing.
• Acme Lithographics was formed when an experienced team of print workers found themselves facing redundancy. Avon CDA assisted them to establish a new business and rescue their jobs.
• Action Time Vision is a multi-media co-operative making short films and provides a mobile cinema, and workshops for people who wish to learn about making films.
• Health For All - workers co-op Holistic treatments and classes, Easton
  
• Momentum Coop - workers co-op - Facilitate creative movement, music & drama to client (mainly adults & kids with learning difficulties, emotional & behavioural difficulties & physical impairments)
• Bristol Broadband Co-operative - workers co-op - runs "Radio Dialect", a community digital radio station
• Fluffy Logic - worker co-op - new media IT consultancy, project management, film, video, MP3, etc
  

CDA co-ordinator Brian Titley said: "In 2004, we exceeded our target of registering 5 new co-operative enterprises, actually registering 12. This is testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff and contractors. We estimate that these registrations resulted in 22 jobs being either created or saved, and as each of these enterprises continues trading, they will employ more local people. Interested people can also look at our website www.avoncda.coop which features a number of information sheets."

The CDA also assisted a number of existing co-operatives, providing training for Directors and members to assist them in managing their enterprises effectively whilst preserving internal democracy to ensure that all members have an equal say in how the business is operated.

Notes for Editors:

• Avon Co-operative Development Agency is an integral part of BRAVE Enterprise Agency
• More information about the agency and co-operatives can be found at www.avoncda.coop
• Contacts: Brian Titley 0117 989 2536 or info@avoncda.coop

Case Study #1
Autoquip
Autoparts and Accessories Ltd trading as Autoquip have been providing car parts to the local community for almost 30 years. In Autumn 2004 Kevin Clay, Elizabeth Gallett and Kaye Jefferies, (who, between them, had worked for Autoquip for over 30 years) celebrated their registration as the new owners of Autoquip after months of hard work, fully supported by the outgoing management and by Avon CDA, organising a worker buyout.
When, at the end of 2003, the current owners wanted to sell the business the workers decided to address their concerns about new owners by exploring the potential for a worker buyout. Avon CDA supported the workers by:
· Advising on the development of a business plan
· Assisting with the negotiations of the sale of the business
· Supporting applications for loans through local and national co-op loan funds
· Registration of the new workers co-operative
· Providing appropriate training for the new management team

In November 2004 the new co-op started trading from its new home 559-563 Fishponds Road, confident in the future and knowing that Avon CDA will be there to provide support for all of their development needs.

For your car parts and accessories visit Autoquip and support this exciting new employee buyout with your trade or call on 0117 9585555 to check stock availability.

Case study #2
Acme Lithographic Ltd
In spring 2004 the staff at a print and graphics company were informed by the owner that he was putting the company into voluntary liquidation. Faced with the prospect of finding new jobs, the three employees had a profound realisation that between them, with their skills and experience, they had been the company. Nigel was able to provide graphics and design, Paul is able to provide excellent printing skills and Lyn takes care of all of the administrative needs. From this realisation came the vision of a new print and graphics company owned and run by them. After a free initial advice session with Avon CDA they chose to set up a workers co-operative and to trade without premises while they organised a business plan, arranged finance and secured premises.

On January 6th 2005 they were able to move the equipment and filing cabinets out of their homes and into their new city centre premises on 122 St George's Road. Nigel Oddy said

"Acme is a small company with big production values; a customer-focused ethos offering personal service, bespoke design and competitive pricing without sacrificing quality. We are an ethical company using papers from sustainable forests and recycling whenever possible"

If you would like Acme to quote for a printing job, call Lyn on 0117 915 8001.

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