Harris Tweed Artisans Co-operative
Co-operative Development Scotland facilitated the creation of Harris Tweed Artisans Co-operative after arranging support through one of its specialist advisers.
Harris Tweed Artisans Co-operative was set up in February 2009 by ten artisan businesses in the Outer Hebrides making products from Harris Tweed.
It is the first co-operative to bring together people working with tweed and has successfully raised its profile in a number of ways, including presenting the Queen with a bouquet of flowers made from Harris Tweed at the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Scottish Parliament on 1 July 2009.
Co-operative member, Ann MacCallum of Hebridean Dreams on the Isle of Lewis, explains:
"The co-operative really was set up as a way to help sell what we produce. All the products are made on the island from Harris Tweed and are sold through our shop in Stornoway or online. The co-operative acts as an agent for all of the member businesses."
The members of Harris Tweed Artisans Co-operative design and hand make a range of products including clothing, soft toys, accessories and homewares.
Everything the members sell goes through the co-operative, which retains 2% of all revenues.
The benefits of co-operation include sharing the cost of exhibiting and other resources. For example, florist Elizabeth Curran, a member who makes wedding bouquets and other items from Harris Tweed, has turned spare capacity in her Stornoway shop into display space for the group's products.
Rhoda Macdonald, another co-operative member who makes ladies' coats, jackets and small headpieces, adds: "There's a support network there for each member. If you're working from home, especially on your own, it can be quite lonely."
Visit the Harris Tweed Artisans Co-operative website for more information
For information or advice on starting your own co-operative, contact us or call us on 0141 951 3055.