News
Celebrating ICOF 50th birthday – looking back at our early loans – Cleggs Lane
In 1997, Cleggs Lane Nursery in Salford wanted to buy a property and we were only too pleased to help them! This fantastic archive image shows three aspects of their work. Haven’t swings changed a bit from then to now? Cleggs Lane Nursery is now Wow Kids Nursery, no longer a co-op but very much […]
50 years of friendship and finance – meet Dr Steve Walker
Dr Steve Walker first became involved with ICOF in the late 1990s when he was co founder of the Aston Reinvestment Trust. Now, over 25 years later, the Trust has become ART and Steve is still a member of ICOF. Here, Steve shares a particular memory with us. Like ICOF, ART is celebrating a birthday. […]
Celebrating ICOF 50th birthday – looking back at our early loans – Frantic Assembly
Frantic Assembly formed in 1994 and we supported them not long after with a loan to support expansion of a theatre studio Still performing and creating work today, Frantic Assembly tour extensively across the UK, and have worked in over 40 countries world-wide collaborating with some of today’s most inspiring artists. Their next production will […]
50 years of friendship and finance – meet Alison Holland
Alison Holland founded Brightkidz in the early 2000’s to support parents to run their own walk to school initiatives. With husband and Director Lance, and Office Manager Jacqui, Brightkidz has become Brightwayz, and between them they are promoting safe, active, sustainable everyday travel for all ages. Alison talked to us about her connection with ICOF […]
Celebrating ICOF 50th birthday – looking back at our early loans – Brixton Cycles
Can you say Brixton Cycles without thinking Eton Rifles? We can’t. We supported this fantastic bike co-op when they wanted to refurbish their shop in 2001. Doesn’t that feel recent – until we realise it was 22 years ago… We’re glad to say Brixton Cycles are still going strong and still a workers co-operative. Custom […]
Celebrating ICOF 50th birthday – looking back at our early loans – Ashington Autospares
Ashington Autospares have been have been providing quality vehicle car parts, accessories and paints to the good people of Ashington, Northumberland, since 1967 and we believe we lent to them in the early 1980s. We’re delighted to find that they are still going!
Remembering Roger Sawtell
As we have been preparing for our 50th birthday celebrations, one name has been coming up over and over again, appearing in memories, paperwork and documentation. Here, Alain Demontoux, our Operations and FCA Compliance Manager, looks at the legacy left by Roger Sawtell, a gentle coop giant, who died at the age of 95 on […]
Celebrating ICOF 50th birthday – looking back at our early loans – Adept
We think that this was a drilling machine, bought by engineering co-op Adept. We think this was the 70s… Anyone remember? Were they attempting an early channel tunnel?
Unveiling 50 years of ICOF
We were delighted to unveil a timeline charting fifty years of ICOF (and other!) history as we launched our birthday celebrations at Cooperative Futures recent From Crisis to Co-ops Conference. We dedicated this to co-operative giant Roger Sawtell – look out for another article about Roger very soon, Thank you so everyone who has been part of […]
Want to save energy in your co-op or community business?
Rising costs are hitting individuals and businesses across the board, and co-ops and community businesses are no exception. Here, we’re delighted to share this video of a recent webinar hosted by Plunkett Foundation and Midcounties Co-op which explored ways that village shops could save energy. The tips within are useful for all small businesses – […]
ICOF – The Borrowers Point of View
Through this, our fiftieth year, we’re delighted to be talking to some of the incredible people who have worked with us along the way – borrowers, supporters, investors, partners, Trustees, and staff. Here we share The Borrower’s Point of View, in this piece written twenty five years ago by Martin Meteyard, who was a member […]
Celebrating ICOF 50th birthday – looking back at our early loans – Antiques R Us
An Antiques co-op – yes, really! Not a type of business we’ve funded often but look at all that incredible stuff! Does anyone remember this co-op? We’d love to know more about it.