Co-op shops once dominated the retail food industry in Britain, now they have a tiny percentage of the market. BBC R4's Food Programme examines whether that change was inevitable and how the movement has shaped the British food industry right up to new food co-ops today.

Food has always played a big part in the movement, from the origins in Rochdale in 1844. This year, Rochdale is celebrating the 160th anniversary of the UK co-operative movement.

Presenter, Sheila Dillon visits the Rochdale Pioneers Museum where she speaks to manager Gillian Lonergan in the original grocer's shop, opened by the Rochdale Pioneers in 1844. She is joined in the studio by Dame Pauline Green, chief executive of Cooperatives UK, which represents cooperative enterprises in Britain, Robert Clark, independent retail analyst and Dr Bill Lancaster, historian at the University of Northumbria, to discuss the development of food co-operatives in the UK.

Also in the programme, Sheila and Robert Clark visit the Unicorn Grocery in Chorlton in Manchester, one of the finalists in the 2004 BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards. Three people set it up in 1996, now it has over thirty co-owners, a turnover of over £3 million and an impressive and loyal customer base. They speak to co-workers Kelly Bubble and Alan York.

Listen to the programme
Click on the link under Previous Programmes: Co-operatives

For Further information:
Rochdale Pioneers Museum
Co-operative College
Co-operatives UK
University of Northumbria
Unicorn Grocery
BBC Food website
BBC News Online looks at how changes in the countryside have affected the people who live there - and what they can expect in the future.

Also see:
Rochdale Pioneers in Co-operative Bank Case Study