The Urban Co-op

The Urban Co-op
Limerick Community Grocery CLG
TypeConsumer Cooperative
HeadquartersLimerick City
Services
  • Groceries
  • Therapy Space
  • Events Space
  • Community Space
Membership2500[1]
AffiliationsCo-operative Movement
Websitetheurbanco-op.ie

Limerick Community Grocery CLG, trading as Urban Co-op, is a consumer co-operative based in Limerick, County Limerick providing local, organic groceries to its members and local community.

History

The Urban Co-op has its root in attempts by Meitheal Mid West to address the challenges of unemployment in Limerick taking inspiration from the successful Mondragon Corporation. After assessing that the conditions in Ireland were not conducive starting worker co-operatives, the collective "turned [their] attention to something more . . . practical . . . something more achievable" such as a community grocery.[2]

The Urban Co-op began as an informal buying club before evolving into a full service community grocery and retail hub.

Activities

The Urban Co-op provides an extensive selection of organic products, with a focus on supporting local, small producers. Since moving to its 600 sq/m premises in Eastway Business Park, it has been able to support a 7 day a week operation alongside a 'Wellness Hub' offer therapy rooms for rent.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ "About". The Urban Co-op. The Urban Co-op. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  2. ^ McMahon, Cian (29 May 2019). "The political economy of worker cooperative development: Meitheal and sustainability". NUI Galway Theses (PhD Theses): 89–90. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  3. ^ Lynch, Richard (6 November 2020). "Health Conscious Consumers Shopping at Limerick Urban Co-op". I Love Limerick. Retrieved 13 July 2022.