Quality
To be the BEST Regional Cooperative Business
About Us
Our Vision
Growth
GROWING for the future
Principals
Putting CO-OPERATIVE PRINCIPLES at the heart of everything we do
Our Vision
Striving to excel as a top community retailer, we aim to grow our business sustainably, always guided by co-operative principles in all our endeavours.
Being one of the few truly independent co-operative retailers, we are deeply rooted in the communities we serve across our retail locations. Our dedication lies in fulfilling the needs and broader goals of our members, customers, and local residents. Established in 1868, our Society comprises 22 convenience stores, post office services, and a 1,000-acre dairy farm.
Social responsibility is ingrained in our organisation, reflecting the foundational principles of the co-operative movement.
As an ethical retailer, we champion Fairtrade and local suppliers, prioritise animal welfare, and take our social and environmental responsibilities seriously. We strive to actively engage with the local communities in our trading areas.
Values & Our Principles
Member economic participation
Minimum investment £2. 1 member, 1 vote irrespective of amount invested. Members receive a dividend on the basis of the amount traded with the society.
Voluntary & open membership
Open to all persons able to use our services & willing to accept responsibility of membership without discrimination or bias.
Concern for the community
Supporting sustainable development of their communities.
Co-operation among co-operativesves
Working with other co-operatives to strengthen the co-operative movement.
Autonomy & independence
Any partnership agreements with other organisations or public authorities are on the basis of ensuring democratic control & autonomy is maintained.
Democratic member control
Elected representatives participate in setting policies & making decisions on behalf of the membership.
Education, training and information
Provide training for their members & elected representatives so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-ops. Information is provided to the general public about the nature & benefits of co-operation.
Self help
Helping people help themselves.
Honesty
We aim to be honest & transparent.
Democracy
We give our members a say in how the business is run.
Openness
We accept that we may make mistakes but we will admit them.
Equity
We operate with fairness and without bias.
Self- responsibility
We take responsibility for our actions.
Equality
Each member has a vote, regardless of how much they have in their share account.
Solidarity
We share a common interest & purpose with our members & other co-operatives.
Social responsibility
We support local communities & work to improve them.
Caring for others
We fund charities & good causes & support community groups from the profits we generate from the business.
Our Values & Our Principles
Radstock Co-operative Society has been an integral part of the community since 1868. In a history often scandalous, sometimes precarious but always colourful, the Society has remained independent not only in its status, but also in its thinking; a characteristic rooted in its mining heritage.
The pioneers of the Society believed that the co-operative movement could teach communities to be provident and self-reliant and it was their duty to seek and spread these principles far and wide.
Owned by our members, we manage 21 community stores and a 1,000-acre dairy farm at Hardington. We take pride in being the sole co-operative business with an operational dairy farm. Our recent rapid expansion is driven by a clear vision. Locally owned and locally managed, we aim to be the best community retailer, growing the business for the future, considering co-operative principles in everything we do.
Ours is a very local, co-operative story.
Don Morris, CEO, Radstock Co-operative Society
We are an independent co-operative business owned by our members, running community stores and a dairy farm in the West of England.
As an ethical retailer, we champion Fairtrade and local suppliers, prioritise animal welfare, and take our social and environmental responsibilities seriously. We strive to actively engage with the local communities in our trading areas.
