Seven short videos from our 2026 Robert Owen Day event on Transforming a Declining High Street. Includes the Centre for Local Economies presentation, three grassroots case studies. Plus a Co-operative Perspective on Urban Renewal and UK Government’s Pride in Place Programme – at video 7/7, by Chrissy Meleady, CEO Sheffield Coop Development Group. At Video 2/7 Cheryl Barrott explains the origins of ‘Community Wealth Building’ and ‘doubling the coop economy’.
https://tinyurl.com/OwenDay2026
About David Smith
A lifelong co-operative activist at all levels of the movement, including the Co-op Group Main Board. Public service includes Government Food Adviser; UK Healthcare Regulator.
David founded the first Community Law Centre in Wales and directed the first EC funded Wales Anti-Poverty Programme: pioneering co-operative & place making community initiatives: including local Co-op Development Agencies, Care & Repair, and multipurpose Social Care Co-operatives.
Founded Cardiff Student Community Action, Welsh Food Alliance & Wales Progressive Co-operators. Robert Owen Memorial Museum Trustee. Director, Sheffield Co-op Development Group. Former Lecturer, Gwent Tertiary College.
Graduate Ruskin College, Oxford and UC Cardiff + PGCE, MA (European Human Resource Management) Keele; Professional Food & Management qualifications.
