Below are the activities being organised by our hosts and The Co-operative College on the 2 and 3 July exclusively for ICA registrants to the Festival of Cooperatives and ICA General Assembly in Manchester, United Kingdom. Numbers are limited and so we strongly advise ICA registrants to book in advance using this form to avoid disappointment.
RESERVE A SPOT
If you have previously registered your interest for any activities by completing our register your interest form, we will be in contact with you directly to help you now book on to the activities you would like.
Please also note that some details about experiences shared previously on this page may have changed and what is now detailed below is the confirmed schedule.
The schedule of experiences is listed first, with further details for each provided below.
In addition, there are lots of activities that ICA registrants can enjoy while visiting Manchester and Rochdale. We have highlighted some of these at the bottom of this page, providing links to more information.
ICA Delegate Experience Schedule
Wednesday 2 July
Thursday 3 July
ICA Delegate Experience Details
PRESENTATIONS
An Introduction to Co-op Food Stores (including a short visit to a store)
Come and learn about the heart of our food business, our stores. There will be a presentation given by operational leaders highlighting some of the things that make us different to our competitors, own brand, membership and our pure convenience business model. This will be followed by a visit to one of our stores.
Duration: 1 Hour
Location: The Annexe, 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG and local Food Store
Date/s & Times: Wednesday 2 July at 9:30-10:30 and 13:30-14:30 and Thursday 3 July at 9:30 – 10:30
Maximum Capacity: 30
Language: English
The Co-op’s Responsible Retailing & Sustainability Journey
Come and learn about The Co-op’s 30-year Responsible Retailing & Sustainability journey and how we are working with our members and partners to ensure a sustainable future for people and planet. There will be a presentation given by members of our Food Sustainability and Member Participation teams followed by a question-and-answer session.
Duration: 1 Hour
Location: The Annexe, 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG
Date/s & Times: Wednesday 2 July, at 10:30 – 11:30 and Thursday 3 July at 15:30 – 16:30
Maximum Capacity: 40
Language: English
The Rochdale Pioneers – Film screening
Come and watch The Rochdale Pioneers is a British biographical feature film, released in 2012, that tells the story of the foundation of the first successful cooperative retail store by working class members of the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers, in 1844. This came at a time of chronic unemployment, poverty, hunger and social inequality, and it was met with prejudice and opposition.
Duration: 1 Hour
Location: The Annexe, 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG
Date/s & Times: Wednesday 2 July at 11:30 – 12:30
Language: English
Co-op Changemakers, A film about people taking back control at work – Film Screening
Join us for the premiere of a powerful new short documentary exploring how young people are building better working lives through co-operation. Filmed with Equal Care Co-op and Suma Wholefoods, this 30-minute film lifts the lid on what work can look like when people have a real say, real ownership - and real purpose. It’s a story of hope, action and a quiet revolution in how we work. After the screening, stay for a special Q&A with the film’s producers and members of Suma who feature in the documentary.
Duration: 1 Hour
Location: The Annexe, 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG
Date/s & Times: Wednesday 2 July at 14:30-15:30
Language: English
Concern for the Community - A Co-operative Group perspective
The 7th Co-operative Principle of Concern for the Community has been interpreted and delivered in a variety of ways by co-operatives throughout the globe. This presentation will provide an opportunity to learn more about how The Co-operative Group demonstrates Concern for the Community through one of their flagship social value programmes, the Local Community Fund. The session will explain how the funding model helps to drive participation with their member-owners, whilst helping deliver a positive impact in local communities by supporting thousands of grassroots projects.
The presentation will be delivered by the Co-op Group’s Local Community Fund team, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Duration: 1 Hour
Location: The Annexe, 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG
Date/s & Times: Thursday 3 July at 11:30 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 14:30
Maximum Capacity: 40
Language: English
Unleashing the Power of Co-operation
Delivered by Ali Longden (Principal) and Kate Greaves (Education Practitioner) from The Co-operative College, in this session we will review the concepts of Potestas and Potentia, identifying how we as individuals and the wider co-operative movement can harness the power of co-operation to meet today’s global challenges. Through the lens of the co-operative values and principles, we’ll determine what we can do with our potentia to support the theme of the UN international year of co-operatives: “Co-operatives Build a Better World.”
There will also be opportunity to enjoy the People’s History Museum after the workshop.
Duration: 1.5 Hour workshop, 1.5 Hour Museum Visit
Location: The Riverside Room, People’s History Museum – Coach Pick-up and Drop-off Point – 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG
Date/s: Thursday 3 July 2025, 9:30 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 16:30
Maximum Capacity: 35
Language: English
The UK Co-operative Movement
Join Educational Practitioners from The Co-operative College Cat Darby and Alex Dean for an engaging session exploring the rich history and dynamic present of the UK co-operative movement. We’ll delve into its origins and development, provide an overview of the current landscape, and highlight a variety of co-operative examples to showcase the movement’s diversity. We’ll finish the session by collectively reflecting on and sharing the parallels between the UK and wider movement focussing on the future opportunities and challenges co-operatives are facing today.
Duration: 1 Hour
Location: The Annexe, 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG
Date/s: Wednesday 2 July, 15:30 – 16:30 and Thursday 3 July 2025, 10:30 – 11:30
Maximum Capacity: 40
Language: English
MAFECO and the Malawi Partnership Showcase
Come and learn about a unique initiative created by Central England Co-operative Society (CEC) and supported by the Co-operative College and the Malawi Federation of Co-operatives (MAFECO). The Malawi Partnership aims to improve the livelihoods of co-operative small holder farmers through increased access to inclusive economic opportunities, sustainable agricultural practices, international co-op markets and solidarity networks.
Duration: 1 Hour
Location: The Annexe, 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG
Date/s: Thursday 3 July, 12:30 – 13:30
Maximum Capacity: 40
Language: English
Fund for International Cooperative Development Showcase
Come and learn more about the new Fund for International Co-operative Development, the first of its kind, launched on the 21st December 2024. Their mission is to support cooperatives worldwide in rebuilding after crises and fostering peace through the power of cooperation. They are a fund for cooperatives, led by cooperatives.
Duration: 1 Hour
Location: The Annexe, 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG
Date/s: Thursday 3 July, 14:30 – 15:30
Maximum Capacity: 40
Language: English
COOPERATIVE TOURS
The Co-operative Quarter – Walking Tour
Join your guide from The Co-operative College as they take you on an intimate walking tour of Manchester’s unique co-operative quarter. Using statues and historic and modern buildings to tell the story of Manchester’s influence on the UK and global co-operative movement, your guide will take you on a journey of over 100 years of co-operation. The walking tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and is outdoors on mostly flat, even ground.
Duration: 45 minutes
Location: Meeting point – 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG
Date/s: Wednesday 2 July and Thursday 3 July, 9:30 – 10:15 and 13:30 – 14:15
Maximum Capacity: 12
Language: English
Plant Co-operative CIC Walking Tour
Plant Co-operative CIC is a multi-award-winning not-for-profit urban gardening collective formed in the spring of 2021. They specialise in tending often neglected urban city centre spaces, working alongside city developers, the city council and local organisations to transform and manage pockets of wilder space, and create the opportunity to bring the community together through gardening.
Duration: 45 Minutes
Location: Meeting and drop-off point – 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG
Date/s: Wednesday 2 July and Thursday 3 July, 10:30 – 11:15 and 14:30 – 15:15
Maximum Capacity: 12
Language: English
Co-op Academies Trust – Visit
Come and learn about the Co-op Academies Trust at one of our most successful secondary schools, Co-op Academy Belle Vue. The Co-op supports over 20,000 young people across the North West through our Co-op Academies Trust, sharing our co-operative difference through education.
Duration: 2.5 Hours (including travel by coach)
Location: Coach pick up and return point - 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG
Date/s: Wednesday 2 July and Thursday 3 July 2025, 9:30 – 12:00 and 13:30 – 16:00
Maximum Capacity: 20
Language: English
FC United Stadium Tour
FC United of Manchester Explore Manchester’s supporter-owned football club Founded in 2005, FC United of Manchester is a football club which is owned and democratically run by its members. Their stadium, Broadhurst Park, is the UK’s first new ground to be built by a supporter-owned football club, with FC United's members involved at every stage of the design and construction process. During the visit, you’ll tour the stadium and hear from one of the club’s passionate volunteers about the reasons behind the formation of the club, the benefits and challenges involved in running a member-owned football team, and their co-operative vision of football that is accessible to all the communities of Manchester.
Please note – this is not to be confused with Manchester United or Manchester City football club stadium tours. For details on these, visit: www.meetinmanchester.com/ica-general-assembly-2025/
Duration: 2 Hours (including travel by coach)
Location: Pick-up and drop-off point – 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG
Date/s& Times: Wednesday 2 July and Thursday 3 July 2025, 9:30 – 11:30 and 13:30 – 15:30
Maximum Capacity: 20
Language: English
Hulme Community Garden Centre and Unicorn Grocery Co-operatives – Visit
Visit and learn about Hulme Community Garden Centre and Unicorn Grocery, two co-operatives operating in the heart of the city.
Hulme Community Garden Centre is a garden centre with a difference that makes a difference. Unicorn Grocery offers customers an unbeatable range of affordable, fresh and wholesome food with an emphasis on organic, fair-trade and local produce. The grocery is the size of a supermarket but run as a workers’ co-operative, owned and democratically controlled by staff you will see in the shop.
Duration: 2.5 Hours (including travel time by coach)
Location: Pick-up and drop-off point – 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG
Date & Times: Wednesday 2 July, 9:30 – 12:00 & 13:30 – 16:00
Maximum Capacity: 14
Language: English
Hulme Community Garden Centre – Visit
Visit and learn about Hulme Community Garden Centre, a co-operative operating in the heart of the city.
Duration: 2.5 Hours (including travel time by coach)
Location: Pick-up and drop-off point – 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG
Date & Times: Thursday 3 July, 9:30 – 12:30 & 13:30 – 16:30
Maximum Capacity: 14
Language: English
Emerge Recycling Centre - Visit
EMERGE provides the full range of waste, recycling and confidential shredding collection services to businesses, organisations and schools. They advance sustainable resource management including advice, information and consultation to the wider community. A movement for positive change, EMERGE conserves natural resources and motivates more people to embrace ‘the real 3Rs’, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Duration: 2 Hours (Including travel by coach)
Location: Pick-up and drop-off point – 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG
Date/s: Wednesday 2 July and Thursday 3 July 2025, 09:30 – 11:30 and 13:30 – 15:30
Maximum Capacity: 10
Language: English
The Rochdale Pioneers Museum
Why not visit the birthplace of Co-operation – The Rochdale Pioneers Museum. The site of the museum at 31 Toad Lane was where the ‘Pioneers’, 28 working people opened a co-operative store on the 21st December 1844. The shop sold fairly priced, good quality food during very hard times. This was social enterprise in action; a chance for local people to become equal members in a revolution that spread all over the world.
Duration: 3Hours (including travel by coach)
Location: Pick-up and drop-off point – 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG
Date/s: Thursday 3 July 2025, 9:30 – 12:30and 13:30 – 16:30
Maximum Capacity: 40
Language: English
The People’s History Museum
Get a friendly welcome at People's History Museum in Manchester, the national museum of democracy. Explore the museum and be empowered by the past to make a change for the future. We are offering to guide delegates to and from the museum at the times outlined below. However, the museum is open all day and delegates are free to visit independently if they wish.
Duration: 2.5 Hours
Location: Meeting and drop-off point – 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG Please note that we will be walking from the meeting point to the museum on the Wednesday, which will take approximately 30 minutes.
Dates and Times: Wednesday 2 July at 9:30 – 12:00, and 13:30 – 15:30 For times on Thursday, see details above on Unleashing the Power of Co-operation presentation.
Maximum Capacity: 35
Language: English
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
In addition to the activities above, there are lots of activities that ICA registrants can enjoy while visiting our great city Manchester and the birthplace of co-operation Rochdale. We have highlighted some of these, providing links to more information below. However, for even more activities you can visit our partner website: https://www.meetinmanchester.com/ica-general-assembly-2025/
Please note, we are unable to offer support with travel and booking for these activities.
Things to do in Manchester
On Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd July, we will welcome ICA delegates to Manchester to attend the Festival of Co-operatives. For those who will not be attending ICA General Assembly but staying in the city, there are lots of activities to enjoy.
We are pleased to share some recommendations of activities, along with some links to more information:
Dream Differently at Manchester International Festival
Manchester International Festival takes place every two years and begins in Manchester on Thursday 3rd July. The festival invites you to leap into the unknown with some of the most exciting creative minds of our generation.
Taking over Aviva Studios and spreading across the city and beyond. Experience art that pushes boundaries, addresses the big questions of our time and creates hope for the future.
Free and paid for events on offer to experience something new.
Manchester International Festival website
Focus: The Herds (free activity)
Thursday 3 July, 6pm
At Manchester City Centre, Cathedral Gardens and Market Street
Encounter THE HERDS as they scatter through the city, sweeping the music into their frenzy. Wander between Cathedral Gardens and Market Street, and you might just stumble upon them. Is that the sound of music or something wild approaching?
Shopping
Spend your day shopping in Manchester and dive into an unrivalled selection of international brands. Manchester Arndale fulfils high-street shoppers' dreams with a huge selection of exciting shops, while Selfridges offers an extraordinary shopping experience, with some of the most sought-after designer brands and beauty products. Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser also add to the list of fantastic department stores that the city centre has to offer.
Sporting attractions
Fuel your passion for sports in Manchester with a visit to the city’s sporting attractions. Immerse yourself in the adrenaline-pumping atmosphere of iconic stadiums, explore interactive exhibits, and embrace the city's vibrant sporting culture.
Sporting attractions in Manchester
Tours and sightseeing
Embark on an immersive adventure with a guided tour and sightseeing experience in Manchester. Whether you're a history buff, culture enthusiast, or seeking family-friendly outings, there are tours cater to every interest.
Tours and sightseeing in Manchester
Museums and galleries
From contemporary art to ancient artifacts, our curated recommendations invite you to discover the richness of Manchester's artistic tapestry. Plan your visit to explore the immersive world of museums and galleries, where creativity and history converge, offering a dynamic and enriching experience for all art and culture enthusiasts.
Museums and galleries in Manchester
Things to do in Rochdale
On Friday 4th and Saturday 5th July, we will be welcoming ICA delegates to Rochdale to attend Co-op Congress. For those who will not be attending Co-op Congress but staying in Rochdale, there are lots of activities to enjoy while visiting the town.
We are pleased to share some recommendations of activities, along with some links to more information:
Focus: The Herds (free activity)
Friday 4th July, 7-8pm
At Aspinall Street, Heywood, OL10 4HP
After opening MIF25 with a dramatic arrival in Manchester City Centre, THE HERDS abandons the bustling city for the residential streets of Heywood, Rochdale. Encounter the animals around Aspinall Street before they move to Queen’s Park in search of nature. Can they find a tranquil moment away from the city?
Co-operative Heritage
Rochdale Pioneers Museum
Address: 31 Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL12 0NU
Cost: Free entry
Opening times: Friday 4th July, 10:30am – 4pm
The Rochdale Pioneers Museum is widely regarded as the home of the worldwide co-operative movement. It's the perfect for seeing how your ancestors did their shopping. In Toad Lane on December 21, 1844, the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society opened their first little store selling pure, unadulterated food at fair prices and honest weights and measures.
Co-operative Heritage trails
Address: Various
Cost: Free
Take yourself on a trail of co-operative cultural heritage in Rochdale. Maps of walking tours are available to download from the Rochdale Pioneers Museum website.
Shilpa Gupta Exhibition: You Are The Place
Address: RISE Inavate Centre, Smith St, Rochdale OL16 1YH
Cost: Free
Opening Times: Friday 4th and Saturday 5th July, 11am-8pm
You Are The Place is a new sound installation by artist Shilpa Gupta on display in Rochdale – a hub for people arriving and moving through the area. Over the past year, the artist has
worked with local communities, including recent immigrants and asylum seekers, to create the installation.
East Lancashire Railway
Address: Heywood train station
Opening times: Friday 4th and Saturday 5th July, various times
Join the Summer Diesel Gala at East Lancs Railway and enjoy a action-packed, fun-filled day out on the East Lancashire historic steam train. More information and how to book can be found on the East Lancs Railway website.
- Email: wright@ica.coop
