New statistics show that there has been a significant increase in the number and income of social enterprises and co-operatives in Plymouth over the last three years despite the COVID pandemic and difficult prevailing economic circumstances.
Plymouth Social Enterprise Network has been gathering information on social enterprises and co-operatives in partnership with the Co-op Group over the last six months. We have found that there are now around 250 social enterprises and co-operatives in the city – up twenty five percent from 200 in 2019. The data also shows that these businesses collectively bring in an annual income of nearly £700 million – an increase of twenty percent on the 2019 figures – and they employ around 9,500 people in the city.
It seems likely that this increase has been stimulated by good business advice and significant investment from a range of sources over the last few years. This includes investment from the European Union, Rank Foundation, Power to Change, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Plymouth City Council. Programmes like STARTSocial, Enhance Social Enterprise Scheme, POP ideas, the Rank Trade-Up programme and Power to Change’s Empowering Places project have all contributed. Alongside this sits a growing desire from entrepreneurs to start and run more ethical businesses. Our view is that, with the climate crisis continuing, enduring poverty and structural inequalities around race and gender particularly, these businesses are needed more than ever.
Jo Higson, Member Pioneer Co-ordinator Plymouth Co-op Group, said: “The Co-op Group is delighted to be part of such a vibrant and diverse social enterprise movement in Plymouth. We are proud that our shops support numerous good causes and social businesses in the city.”
The economic impact statistics only paint some of the picture. We know that social enterprises and co-operatives are far more likely to be led by woman and be paying the Real Living Wage to their employees. We’ve found that nearly 60% of social enterprises have women in leadership positions compared to around 16% of standard businesses. Also, nearly two thirds of social enterprises in Plymouth pay Living Wages compared to around 33% of standard businesses. With national research showing that social enterprises in the South West are more likely to be addressing the climate emergency, this data goes a long to show that, if you invest in social enterprise development and support, you will help build a greener and fairer economy.
Gareth Hart, PSEN Director, said: “Social enterprise and co-operative approaches to business keep growing in the city. Plymouth has been ahead of the curve for a number of years when it comes to social enterprise development and we think that it is great to see growth in businesses that put people and planet first.”
The Co-op Group is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, owned by millions of members. They are the UK’s fifth biggest food retailer with more than 2,500 local, convenience and medium-sized stores. They employ nearly 70,000 people and are a recognized leader for their social goals and community-led programmes. The Co-op Group has its origins in the co-operative consumer societies started by the Rochdale Pioneers in 1844.