Last week I spent time with some of our co-ops and mutuals in Oldham today.
As we draw to the end of Coops Fortnight I wanted to showcase the work down locally which contributes to the £36bn economic contribution to the U.K.
First was a short journey to Oldham Community Leisure which has operated for over 12 years employing around 300 people over 11 sports centres, pools and outdoor facilities. It’s a great success story because not only has it achieved investment in new facilities in every town in the Oldham West & Royton constituency but it has seen significant increases in use across the borough.
Secondly was a visit to Whitegate End Primary School to see solar panels as part of the Oldham Community Power scheme.
The project allows local people to buy shares which support the installation of renewable energy. It reduces costs for local schools and sells back surplus energy back to the grid.
Let’s celebrate our cooperatives!
Jim McMahon OBE MP 