Category Archives: Community Co-operatives

Co-operative Tokens, Sports Direct and The Bristol Pound

Posted on January 16, 2017 by Leigh Sparks

A little while ago I put up the photograph above on Twitter of three Co-operative Society tokens I had found; in this case from the Pontycymmer Industrial and Co-operative Society for a large loaf and one pint and a half … Continue reading →

Posted in Bristol Pound, Community Co-operatives, Cooperative Tokens, Cooperatives, Food Retailing, History, Local Currency, Local Multiplier, Localisation, Places, Retail Change, Sports Direct | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Social Spaces and Places

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Leigh Sparks

A number of my colleagues have at times questioned why I bother with this retail blog or engage with Twitter. They tend to view such activity as essentially pointless or potentially taking them away from their research and other activity. … Continue reading →

Posted in Academics, BIDS, Community, Community Co-operatives, Community Development, Cooperatives, Development Trusts, High Streets, Places, Regeneration, Scotland's Town and High Streets, Town Centre Action Plan, Town Centre Review, Town Centres, Towns, Uncategorized, USP | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Retailing in Seattle

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Leigh Sparks

A quarter of a century or so ago I was fortunate enough to be awarded a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Travelling Fellowship.  As part of that I ended up in Seattle and interviewed various executives and family from Nordstrom, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Community Co-operatives, Customer Service, Farmers Markets, Start-ups | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Scotland’s Towns Conference 2011: Think Local – Act Local!

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Leigh Sparks

A November day out in Dunfermline; what could be more pleasant or stimulating?  But, a day out at Scotland’s Towns Conference – oh the added value of it all.  So, to the Glen Pavilion on the 16th November it was, … Continue reading →

Posted in BIDS, Community Co-operatives, Government, Places, Scotland's Town and High Streets, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Raising Dough?

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Leigh Sparks

A few months ago in an email exchange arising from one of my posts, I learned about a retail business start-up that might come to fruition. Well, this week (6th  October) it happens. Dunbar is to see the opening of … Continue reading →

Posted in Community Co-operatives, Customer Service, Food, Food Retailing, Gastronomy, High Streets, Independents, Places, Retail Diversity, Scotland's Town and High Streets, Slow Food, Start-ups, Town Centres, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment