Coverage of CLES’ wealth building in Big Issue North

The article is about how towns and cities across the north are coming up with new ways to combat the effects of austerity.

CLES’ collaboration with Preston City Council and other Preston based anchor institutions has resulted in an increase in spend with suppliers based in Preston of £74 million over the last five years and £199 million with Lancashire based suppliers, 50 local businesses signed up to pay the ‘real’ Living Wage, and pension fund investment in local regeneration projects.

Matthew says: “Making these changes meaningful not only involves more money being spend in a defined geographical area, but also means shifting behaviour for the better. Procurement becomes a lever to promote a more diverse and fairer kind of market – one that is not damaged by large corporates, but informed by greater worker control and social responsibility”

You can read our publication, which details our work in Preston since 2011 – Community Wealth Building through Anchor Institutions here

The Big Issue North magazine is available from vendors for £2.50