Radical Routes

Radical Routes emerged in 1986 from a network of people in London and Hull who wanted to develop workers' co-operatives.[5] The network agreed its common aims and adopted the name Radical Routes in 1988, and became incorporated as Radical Routes Limited in 1992.[6] In 1998 Rootstock Limited was incorporated as an investment scheme supporting Radical Routes co-operatives.[7] The original house in Hockley was set up as the 'New Education Housing Co-op'.[8]

According to Rootstock, between 1991 and 2012 Radical Routes made over sixty loans to member co-ops – totaling over £1m – with no co-operatives defaulting on loan payments.[9] These loans have typically been used by member housing co-ops, in addition to finance from traditional lenders, to buy property.[10]

Radical Routes provides small loans (up to about £50,000) to member co-operatives. Decisions on making loans are made collectively by other member co-operatives, this has been described as "peer-group loan appraisal".[11]

Radical Routes publishes booklets on subjects such as How to set up a Housing Co-operative and How to set up a Worker Co-operative.[12]

With Cooperatives UK they launched proposals for an independent co-operative regulator after the government announced that it would be abolishing the FSA. Previously the FSA had regulated co-operatives, which were registered as industrial and provident societies.

Radical Routes is developing a ‘co-op cluster’ model for co-op housing with groups of housing co-ops combining their assets to buy new properties outright, eliminating mortgage interest.[13]

Member co-operatives are expected to commit to a share of Radical Routes' workload as volunteers, and work toward radical social change.[14][15]

The organisation has about 40 members, consisting primarily of small housing co-ops, alongside some worker co-ops and social centres. The organisation also has a number of supporting associates.[16]

• Official website