Lecture Theatre 1, School of Chemistry, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS

Join us for a lecture and debate hosted by Professor Tim Cole, Director of the University of Bristol Brigstow Institute and Professor Martin Parker of the Bristol Inclusive Economy Initiative. In partnership with Jules Peck, Democracy Collaborative and New Economics Foundation Fellow.

Concepts of ‘Community Wealth Building’ and ‘Economic Democracy’ as well as allied ideas such as ‘Social Economies’ and ‘Inclusive Growth’ are becoming ever more mainstream. Pretty much everyone agrees that capitalism needs radical change, and that business as usual is not an option. Bristol City Council now uses both the terms Inclusive Growth and Community Wealth Building, and there an increasing number of local initiatives such as the Bath Cooperative Alliance and Stroud Community Wealth Group and across the UK, the most well known being the ‘Preston Model’.

But what would a ‘Bristol Model’ look like? Surely with such a rich history of social innovation Bristol and its wider ecoregion should be leading on reducing carbon and encouraging inclusivity. Should local institutions commit to local purchasing? Can the Bristol Pound shorten supply chains? Can worker ownership ensure that business is more responsible? Could a regional bank ensure that wealth is less concentrated? The economy needs to be tilted, so if not in Bristol and its wider region, then where?

At this debate, we will hear from Ted Howard from the Democracy Collaborative who will then be joined by Jules Peck, Patricia Gaya and Martin Parker for a panel debate and Q&A.

It is our understanding that the venue is wheelchair accessible and does have a hearing loop. Please see the AccessAble report for more detailed information.

You might also be interested in this article in The Guardian and these resources put together by the Bath Cooperative Alliance.