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Co‑operatives UK is the voice for the UK’s thousands of independent co‑ops.
We support co‑ops to start up and thrive – join us to access expert advice, events and training. Find out what a co‑op actually is and how we can help.
Enabled works empowers people with disabilities to become business owners (photographer Robin Mitchell)
Featured content
Discover the power of co‑ops
Content by The Hive
Join our series of FREE webinars for people interested in starting a co‑op business.
Content by The Hive
2022 UnFound Accelerator – open for applications
Content by Unfound
Do you have a clear and compelling idea for an ethical digital business? Are you interested in setting it up as a co‑operative? Then we'd love to hear from you!
Content by Unfound
The Co-op Economy
The Co-op Economy is the nation’s only comprehensive report on the UK’s co‑operative sector. It reveals turnover, membership and employee figures for co‑op businesses across the UK.
Support for your co‑op
As the network for the UK's thousands of co-operative businesses, we provide support in HR, culture, governance, finance, marketing, membership strategy and co-operative development. Browse our extensive library of online resources, blogs and…
Guide to co-ops
Read our handy guide, which explains in simple terms what a co‑op is (and why they're so great).
Co-operatives UK offers open surgeries with new CEO
Co-operatives UK’s newly appointed CEO, Rose Marley, is offering one to one surgeries to talk all things co-operative.
Latest news
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Applications open for the Unfound Accelerator to support start-up platform co-ops
Content by Unfound
The search is on for a new cohort of inspiring entrepreneurs who want to develop a digital business in a more collaborative and equitable way.
11 days ago
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Co-operatives urged to apply as funds released for businesses impacted by Omicron wave
Government delivers more than £700m funding to local authorities in England for businesses most impacted by Omicron and Co-operatives UK is urging co-operatives to apply.
11 days ago
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Co-operative movement offers hope to next generation
Some of the top issues occupying the minds of young people have co-operative solutions claims trade body Co-operatives UK in a new YouGov survey released today.
19 days ago
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Parliamentary debate on the role of co-operatives in economy to take place
Co-operatives UK, working with MPs on a cross-party basis, has helped secure a Parliamentary debate on the contribution of co-operatives to the economy on 14 December 2021.
1 month ago
How many co-ops are there?
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- The UK’s 7,237 independent co-ops employ 250,128 people
- Co-ops contribute £39.7 billion to the UK economy
- There are nearly 14 million memberships of co-ops. The members own and have a say in how the nation's co-ops operate
- Co-ops proved four times less likely to cease trading during 2020
- The UK co-op sector grew by £1.1 billion in 2020, despite the pandemic
Programmes to support your co-op
The Hive
Support for new co-ops, with advice, training and mentoring
Community Shares
For community owned organisations looking to raise funds through community shares
UnFound
For tech founders and start ups looking for a different way to run digital platforms
The Ownership Hub
Developing a fairer and more resilient regional economy by supporting more worker and employee ownership