Set up a co-operative

Every co‑operative in the world started from the same place: a group of like-minded people identified a business need or opportunity and came together to try and fulfil it.

Co-operatives can be formed to meet any need large or small: from the reform of public service delivery; to independent businesses joining together to increase their buying and selling power; or a community taking over their local post office, pub or shop.

If you are considering the co-operative option, you will need the right information and support to make your ideas a reality. This page provides some of the basic information you will need. Through our members and networks we can put you in touch with a range of support providers, from business advice to legal and finance, should you wish to take your ideas further.

Our Starting a Co-operative guide goes through the basic steps you’ll need to consider and covers the following areas:

• why set up a co-operative?
• what is a co-operative?
• types of co-operative
• areas of co-operative activity
• legal structures
• finance
• sources of advice

Our recently updated Simply Legal publication also covers all you need to know about legal forms and organisational types for co-operatives.

Get Support

We, and our members, have a wealth of experience in developing co operatives. If you have a general enquiry about starting a co-operative or want to know more about co-operatives and public service delivery, we welcome your enquiry. You can email us, or call us on 0161 246 2900 to discuss how we can help.

You might also want to find your local co-operative development organisation for more advice and support.

If you’re new to co-operatives or would like to brush up on what it means to do business the co‑operative way, find out more in the In The Economy section.