The Scotmid Co-operative has contributed a total of £300k in loan and share capital investment in Student Co-op Homes to support the purchase of a traditional flatted property in South West Glasgow.
The donation secures the first home for the Glasgow Student Housing Co-operative (GSHC) and the updated property will be tenanted by students and run democratically by residents, offering a fair, community-led alternative to soaring private rents.
The deal coincides with the International Year of Co-operatives 2025, a global celebration of how co-operatives offer long-term, value-led responses to social challenges such as the housing crisis.
Craig Strachan, CFO of Scotmid, said: “We’re delighted to support Student Co-op Homes and help bring the GSHC’s vision to life. This investment reflects our belief in long-term, value-driven partnerships and in the ability of young people to lead meaningful change through the co-operative model.”
Scott Jennings, Chair of Student Co-op Homes, said: “Scotmid’s support is a game-changer. It not only helps secure our first property in Glasgow but also sets an inspiring example of how established co-ops can empower new ones.”
Student Co-op Homes, the UK’s national body for student housing co-ops, supports over 130 students living in propertied co-ops in Birmingham, Edinburgh and Brighton. The Glasgow development marks an exciting expansion into Scotland’s largest student city, it said.
The latest project has been made possible through a wide network, which includes Edinburgh Student Housing Co-op lending funds to cover initial running and core costs, Co-operate Scotland providing ongoing support to GSHC throughout the process, and law firm Shepherd & Wedderburn offering pro bono conveyancing and regulatory advice.
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