The CDA is committed to providing a high quality, efficient co-operative development service, relevant to individual clients needs. The CDA, as an integral part of BRAVE, is independent, and is not tied to any government department, local council or commercial concern. However, we are funded by Bristol City Council, ESF EQUAL Capacity Builders and Neighbourhood Renewal.
Our services are offered on the following basis:
We aim to offer a friendly, helpful service and provide straightforward,
practical advice as well as the resources to enable you to plan ahead.
The CDA provides quality advice and resources to people wanting to start a new Co-operative business, as well as to existing co-operative businesses in the area.
EXPERIENCED STAFF - Staff and advisers at the CDA have experience of co-operative businesses as well as advising and assisting others to succeed.
FREE SERVICES - The CDA receives funding from Bristol City Council to provide a number of free services to people starting a new co-operative. However, we are unable to cover the cost of registering the co-operative with either Companies House or The Financial Services Authority. Once a co-operative begins trading we may also charge for some of our services.
OFFICE RESOURCES - Available for use by arrangement with the staff:
We maintain a strict code of conduct regarding confidentiality. You will be given a copy of this at your first meeting or you can view a pdf version here.
INITIAL MEETING - Once you have had a chance to read this information it is often helpful to come and have an informal meeting at the CDA. This will give you a chance to describe your business idea and we will be able to advise upon how a co-operative business structure could work for you. Together, we will be able to assess what support you might need and how the CDA and / or BRAVE advisers can help. If possible everyone involved in setting up the business should attend. If it is a large group we can have an exploratory session with a few individuals and then make a presentation to the whole group. Usually these meetings are held in our office in Bristol, but we can also arrange to travel to you if your group is too large or you have travel difficulties.
BUSINESS PLAN DEVELOPMENT - A business plan is vital for any enterprise and involves considerable detailed
work. The end result is the
blueprint for your business. It must be well presented and researched as it
will be required by potential lenders and other interested parties. Business
counselling sessions are available via the BRAVE business counsellors during
the business planning stage.
ADVICE ON CO-OPERATIVE REGISTRATION - Once you know the most appropriate co-operative structure for your business and the business plan is underway, we will assist you with the registration process. The CDA uses model rules provided by Co-operatives UK, basic registrations can cost as little as £269. This registration fee includes a years membership of Co-operatives UK and a complete registration folder and company name plate.
Membership of the local Co-operative Business Forum is open to any co-operative within the Former Avon area. The forum aims to facilitate a strong local co-op identity within the co-op sector itself by bringing co-operators together. It will promote mutual aid and trading between co-operatives.
The CDA provides specialist training and advice in co-operative management: roles and responsibilities of Company Directors and Company Secretaries and also new member training. BRAVE provide specialist training including monthly 'Starting in Business' courses and 'Start Right' seminars. Bi-weekly Business Planning clinics. One day courses in subjects such as Bookkeeping, Marketing, Customer Care and sectoral seminars such as 'Starting a Small Food Business' and 'Making it in Music'.
Advise on loan applications and approaching financial institutions can be explored during the business planning stage to ensure that business plans meet their criteria. Lenders will always want to see a completed business plan before they will consider lending any monies. Co-operatives can access loans from specific co-op loan funds such as ABCF and Co-operative & Community Finance as well as more mainstream sources such as BEDF and banks.
In association with Venue magazine, the CDA and BACEN produce a yearly supplement entitled the Social Economy business directory. The CDA encourages all co-ops to be listed and this is a free service to co-ops
Free condifential and objective advice provided by accredited BRAVE Business Advisers for planned or new businesses including co-operatives. Access to external sources of specialist assistance, including accounting and legal services
BRAVE has 30 business professionals who have offered their time to support pre-start, start-up and micro businesses across the former Avon area. This is a free service designed to provide on-going support to new co-operatives in their first years of trading but can also be made available to established co-operatives by arrangement.
A limited number of scholarships are available for certain wards of Bristol, currently Lawrence Hill, Filwood, Southmead, Knowle, Ashley, Whitchurch Park, Bishopsworth, Hartcliffe, Easton and Kingsweston. Training, business advice, support and funding are available to enable individuals to launch their business.
An initiative to assist people over the age of 50 to become self-employed or to set up their own businesses. It is part of a registered charity and is run by people with experience of small business start up. The PRIME programme is being offered in this area by BRAVE enterprise agency.
A Scheme to help people between the ages of 16 to 30 to start and develop their own businesses. The scheme provides quality information and advice to guide people through the initial stages of starting up, linking to a source of business advice and hosting a national competition for new business start ups.
For people living in Ashley, Lawrence Hill or Easton, Lawrence Hill, Filwood and Windmill Hill. The aim of the scheme is to give people a better chance of succeeding in self-employment. A service of business advice sessions and a three day course help people prepare a business plan. A market research grant of £200 and a bursary of £45 a week for six months once the business starts trading.
BRAVE publishes a modern business magazine aimed at local pre-start, start-up and micro business world. Four issues per year are produced with a circulation of 5000. Co-operatives will now be a feature within this magazine.
The Coach house offers managed office and retail space. BRAVE has thirty basic low cost starter units available to small businesses on 'easy in, easy out' terms.
The CDA and BRAVE can offer administrative services including photocopying and
fax services, room hire and others. These services are open to all co-operatives
at a non-commercial rate.
We endeavour to ensure that our services, and the information that we provide, are as up to date and accurate as possible. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of all the information and advice given by staff and associates, and cannot accept any responsibility for errors and omissions in information and advice given in good faith.
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