Manchester-based Unicorn Grocery, a stalwart of the UK’s worker co-op movement, celebrated its 30th anniversary last month, with an afternoon of free food, music and games at its Chorlton store.
Unicorn launched in 1994 when two local friends started talking about how difficult it was to find wholesome food they would afford. They wanted a supermarket-sized range and comparable prices, but with foood sourced and sold with care.
Inspired by Daily Bread, a cash and carry style wholefood store in Northamptonshire called Daily Bread, they decide to make their own.
“A business plan for a radically different kind of shop is written,” said the co-op. “One that respects its suppliers, empowers its workers and nourishes its community.”
Now with 53 worker-owners, Unocorn is carefully tending the business for future generations – and enjoyed a surprise 30th birthday gift with a shortlisting in three categories at the Social Enterprise Awards.
“It shows how well such a simple proposition – nourishing food, honest prices and worker-ownership –stands the test of time,” the co-op said. “We are so proud of how our business thrives, not despite our values, but because of them.”
Over the past 30 years it has put £138.4 through the till, created and reinvested £1.78min net profits, and donated £1.43m through its 1&4% funds
Since 1996 it has grown from 400 product lines to 2,500, and from serving 1,000 customers/week to 6,500.
Turnover has risen from £350,000 turnover to £9.32m.
Milestones along the way include sales reaching the £1m mark in 2001, buying and expanding its home site in 2003, and a major governance reorganisation in 2005 after growing its numher of worker-owners.
Major renovations came in 2015, with a commercial kitchen built upstairs.
The co-op gained the Fair Tax Mark in 2016 – and the same embarked on a three-year journey to reduce packaging waste.
The team weathered the pandemic, “challenging us in ways we had never expected and is now looking forward, after another major renovation.
