HCD's premises in Bradbury Street: the Jazz Café and above it HCD's offices

Hackney Co-operative developments GIC (HCD)is a local community economic development organisation with a membership open for all those who subscribe to its co-operative goals and values.  Its members elect a board of directors each year who employ a small professional staff team.

Established in 1982 as a not-for-profit, community benefit company HCD has specialised in business support, customised training, premises provision and creating suitable environments for small businesses, community groups and voluntary organisations in Hackney. Its priority target groups are black and ethnic minority individuals and organisations, female entrepreneurs, youth, co-operatives, and green and ethical businesses.

HCD's basic approach is community based. Our staff work with local people and their communities exploring ideas and opportunities jointly with them, establishing viable ways for their aspirations to be fulfilled.

It is an organisation that is guided by the values and aims of the Co-operative movement.

Co-operatives principles are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.  

The co-operative aim that HCD works to realise is the coming together of groups of people for mutual assistance in trade, manufacture, the supply of credit and other service for social and economic development.

To this end ee provide a wide spectrum of services:
• property development and management
• advice & training for small business, social enterprise, community business and worker co-operatives
• strategic engagement with local, regional and national bodies to promote the urban regeneration of the local area for community benefit.

We also have a close association with the professions in the legal, architectural, arts, design & other fields.

This is a unique combination of activities, of wider value for urban rennaissance in the UK.