The Cooperative

Ilmington Shop and Café is run as a community owned Cooperative. It trades as a business, but trades primarily for community benefit.  The venture is currently owned by over 400 members who bought shares in the Co-operative with a minimum investment of £10.  All members have an equal say in how the business is run, regardless of their level of investment.

Ilmington Community Shop Ltd is a Community Owned Industrial and Provident Society (IPS) for the Benefit of the Community (the Society) with a constitution developed by Plunkett for use by community shops. Plunkett are a charitable organisation whose purpose is to support and encourage community shops in the UK.

The Cooperative is run by a management committee elected annually at an AGM.  The Society is run democratically and the management committee is appointed on a one member one vote system regardless of the level of investment of members.  Any member can stand for election and we would encourage anyone who wants to play an active part in the management of the shop to stand.