THE CO-OPERATIVE HERITAGE TRUST
The preservation, protection and improvement for the public benefit, on behalf of the co-operative movement, of 31 Toad Lane, Rochdale and the National Co-operative Archive.The encouragement of the provision of access to and the study of such buildings and objects.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net loss of £238,305 for the year, driven by core operational losses and investment declines. The trustees note that free unrestricted reserves are negative at £321,729 and warn that the current model is unsustainable without significant new funding. However, the trustees maintain that the charity can continue as a going concern due to the liquidity of its fixed asset investments.
What the accounts disclose
“The current value of free unrestricted reserves remains negative at £321,729.” — page 17
“The Co-operative Group also provided donations of £15,000. There were no other transactions.”
“Amounts of £nil and £225 were payable to and receivable from the College. At 31 December 2025 the balance owed to the College was £nil and owed from the College was £nil.”
“The Co-operative Group also provided donations of £15,000. There were no other transactions.”
“Amounts of £nil and £225 were payable to and receivable from the College. At 31 December 2025 the balance owed to the College was £nil and owed from the College was £nil.”
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (29/07/2021)
Trustees
- Anthony Websterchair
- Dr Alexandra Zenia Mitchell
- EDWARD POWELL
- Helen Davies
- Ian Adderley
- Jenny Rebecca Laycock
- John William Boyle
- Melanie Jane Hearn
- Nicholas John Matthews
- Prof. Stephen J Milner
- Tanya Noon
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £213k | £404k |
| 31/12/2024 | £106k | £377k |
| 31/12/2023 | £111k | £368k |
| 31/12/2022 | £96k | £329k |
| 31/12/2021 | £144k | £319k |
Common questions
Is THE CO-OPERATIVE HERITAGE TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net loss of £238,305 for the year, driven by core operational losses and investment declines. The trustees note that free unrestricted reserves are negative at £321,729 and warn that the current model is unsustainable without significant new funding. However, the trustees maintain that the charity can continue as a going concern due to the liquidity of its fixed asset investments. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 11/12/2024 | £132k | "Seeds of Change: Documenting the history of the Co-operative College" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 29/10/2018 | £48k | "Up Our Street - Young People exploring Rochdale's Pioneer Places" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 09/03/2017 | £43k | "Working Together: recording and preserving the heritage of the workersÂ’ co-operative movement" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 24/11/2014 | £10k | "Shop floor to front line: an exploration of co-operative experiences in WWI" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 17/09/2008 | £1.6m | "ROCHDALE: Renewing Our Co-operative Heritage, Developing the Archive and Learning Experiences" |