We have drafted the following statement of concern/support from workers.coop’s board and members, in the form of an open letter. Can people indicate if they+their co-op would be willing to co-sign the letter?
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17th March 2025
Stirchley Co-operative Development: statement of concern and support
The Board of Directors and members of workers.coop, the UK federation of worker-led cooperatives, are dismayed at an apparent move by GreenSquareAccord to dissolve its partnership with Stirchley Co-operative Development (SCD), and assume direct landlord control of residential and commercial space in the newly-completed development.
Such a move would not only threaten the security of cooperative tenants, but it would undermine the entire foundation of a decade-long project to establish SCD as a secure, democratically managed community space.
SCD is a community-led organisation formed by local residents and worker co-operatives in 2016. The building has 39 residential flats and three commercial spaces. The project was established in direct response to the gentrification of Stirchley, where rising commercial rents have put long-standing local businesses at risk of displacement.
Three of our members - Birmingham Bike Foundry, Artefact and Loaf Bakery - are not only tenants but co-owners. They have spent a decade investing their time, money, and labour into developing the building alongside residents, in order to secure their future in the area. Ownership of the building has always been central to this vision, giving workers and residents democratic control over where they live and work.
We wish to express our unreserved support for SCD’s members and tenants. We call on GreenSquare Accord to immediately reconsider its position and - acting in good faith - to reinstate its partnership agreement with SCD.
Sean Farmelo, Director
John Atherton, Director
Mikaela Raphael – Agile Collective
Sion Whellens – Principle Six LLP
Roxanne St Clair – Calverts North Star Press Ltd
workers.coop Limited, 63 Rakewood Road, Littleborough, OL15 0AP
Co-operative Society registered number: 4981
