More Than a Shop

Co‑operatives UK, The Co‑op, The Co‑operative College, Co‑op News, The Co‑operative Heritage Trust•morethanashop.coop

More Than a Shop welcomes guests with something new and radical to say about the big issues of our day and doing business the right way. Presented by broadcaster and journalist Elizabeth Alker, each episodes covers a big topic from climate change and food, to mental health and education. The chat is lively, energetic – sometimes controversial, always entertaining. Join us as we explore how people power and co-operation can tackle some of the biggest challenges facing society. More Than a Shop is brought to you by Co‑operatives UK, The Co‑op, Co‑op News, The Co‑operative College and The Co‑operative Heritage Trust. It is produced by Geoff Bird for Sparklab Productions.

Last refreshed: August 14th, 2025 at 11:31 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Let’s build something better together – #KeepCooperating

During the COVID‑19 pandemic, we've seen some inspirational stories of co‑operation. For Co-op Fortnight we've collected just a few of those inspiring stories from co-operatives across the UK. Find out more about Co-op Fortnight and get involved at uk.coop/fortnight Special thanks to Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative , LILAC Co-Housing , The Larder , Calverts , The Co-op , Greencity Wholefoods . Listen to more episodes and subscribe at morethanashop.coop . Transcripts of the episodes are available: ...

Jun 22, 2020•30 min

Speaking up for our planet: turning talk into action

Climate change and climate justice is the focus of the latest More Than a Shop podcast episode. In Speaking up for our planet: turning talk into action , Elizabeth Alker talks to Disruption Doctor, speaker and activist Samantha Moyo and Louise Marix Evans, Director of three community energy organisations/projects (Community Energy North and Pennine Community Power). The episode also features the tree planting organisation, Treesponsibility. Listen to the episode and subscribe to future episodes ...

Jun 17, 2020•39 min

The future of the UK's high streets

The latest More Than a Shop podcast explores the changing landscape of UK high streets. Elizabeth Alker is joined by industry experts – Central England Co-operative‘s Chief Executive, Debbie Robinson, and the IGD’s Head of Shopper Insight, Rhian Thomas – who talk passionately about how the high street is still relevant. We also hear how Headingley Development Trust has inspired community ownership as a way of taking control of the local high street, creating jobs and securing its future. Listen ...

Jun 03, 2020•36 min

Digging in: the local food revolution

Food glorious food is the focus of the latest More Than a Shop podcast episode. In Digging in: the local food revolution , Elizabeth Alker talks to vegetable gardener, YouTuber and author Huw Richards and Incredible Edible’s Clare Negus. We also hear from the fantastic community-owned and run Radcliffe Market. Listen to the episode Digging in: the local food revolution and subscribe to future episodes at morethanashop.coop . Transcripts of the episodes are available: www.uk.coop/resources/more-t...

May 20, 2020•42 min

When your number's up: It's time to talk about death

The fifth episode in the More Than a Shop podcast series is now live and explores something we all, sadly, will inevitably face in our lives. Elizabeth Alker discusses end of life – how to talk about it, how to plan for it – with Co-op Funeralcare’s Raegan Drew and Methodist minister, writer and filmmaker Kathleen Loughlin . We also hear from a Death Café in Manchester. Death Cafés exist all over the world, creating a safe, informal space for people to talk about death and grief. End of life and...

May 06, 2020•38 min

Changing the conversation about mental health

The latest episode of podcast More Than a Shop explores the need for new conversations, support networks and funding focused on mental health across the UK. Whilst this series was recorded and produced before the COVID-19 pandemic, the issues raised will be more pertinent than ever. One in four people experience a mental health problem in any one year. Series presenter Elizabeth Alker chatted to two people heavily involved in delivering mental health services – at a local level and nationally: R...

Apr 22, 2020•37 min

Imagine not having a boss?! Working it a different way

More Than a Shop presenter Elizabeth Alker chats to two people convinced that the UK economy would be transformed if more businesses were worker and employee owned. Hear a fascinating discussion between Elizabeth and Beau Bulman from Suma – Europe's largest equal pay employer – and James Wright, from Co‑operatives UK - the UK's national association of co‑operative businesses or all shapes and sizes. The episode also features Leeds Bread Co‑op – a worker owned co‑operative bakery in Leeds. Subscr...

Apr 08, 2020•33 min

Ch-ch-ch-changes: Disrupting the music industry

More Than a Shop presenter Elizabeth Alker chats about the music industry with BBC 6 Music's Chris Hawkins and Terry Tyldesley from Resonate, the ethical music streaming co-op. The episode explores challenges facing musicians and ways to challenge the 'norms' that have emerged in recent years and decades that make it such a difficult industry to breakthrough. The episode also features an interview with The Trades Club, one of the UK's most popular independent venues, which is owned and run by th...

Mar 25, 2020•39 min

Education for all? A new school of thought

Presenter Elizabeth Alker chats about the challenges facing education in the UK The Co-operative College's Principal and CEO, Cilla Ross, and poet and performer David Scott AKA ARGH KiD . The episode also features an interview with the Principal of Leeds Co-op Academy , Jonny Mitchell – who also featured in TV series 'Educating Yorkshire' – and students from the school. A transcript of the episode is available here: https://www.uk.coop/resources/more-than-a-shop Subscribe to future episodes wher...

Mar 11, 2020•41 min

More Than a Shop [Trailer]

Presented by BBC broadcaster and journalist, Elizabeth Alker, More Than a Shop welcomes guests with something new and radical to say about the big issues of the day and doing business the right way. Each episode covers a big topic from climate change and food, to mental health and education. The chat is lively, energetic, sometimes controversial, always entertaining – in the spirit of the worldwide co-operative movement. Co-ops proudly offer radical alternatives to mainstream ways of getting thi...

Feb 25, 2020•37 sec

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