Rochdale Pioneers

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The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers, founded in 1844, is usually considered the first successful co-operative enterprise, forming the basis for the modern co-operative movement. Although other cooperatives preceded them^[1], the Rochdale Pioneers' co-operative became the prototype for societies in Great Britain. The Rochdale Pioneers are most famous for designing the Rochdale Principles, a set of principles of co-operation that provide the foundation for the principles on which co-ops around the world operate to this day. The model the Rochdale Pioneers used is a focus of study within Co-operative economics.

[edit] History

The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers was a group of 28 weavers and other artisans in Rochdale, England, that was formed in 1844. As the mechanization of the Industrial Revolution was forcing more and more skilled workers into poverty, these tradesmen decided to band together to open their own store selling food items they could not otherwise afford. With lessons from prior failed attempts at co-operation in mind, they designed the now famous Rochdale Principles, and over a period of four months they struggled to pool together one pound sterling per person for a total of 28 pounds of capital. On 21 December 1844, they opened their store with a very meager selection of butter, sugar, flour, oatmeal and a few candles. Within three months, they expanded their selection to include tea and tobacco, and they were soon known for providing high quality, unadulterated goods. Ten years later, the British Co-operative movement had grown to nearly 1,000 co-operatives.

The Pioneers' original store on Toad Lane has been converted into a commemorative museum.

The Archive for the Co-operative movement in Rochdale is held by Local Studies, Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust

[edit] References

1. ^ Sidney & Beatrice Webb, The Consumers' Co-operative Movement, 1930, p. 5

[edit] External links

• BBC: Rochdale Pioneers
• Rochdale Pioneers Museum
• Columbia Encyclopedia: Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers
• The Co-operative College: Rochdale Pioneers
• Rochdale Local Studies
• Touchstones Rochdale: Rochdale Pioneers

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