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.
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Glad Rags is a co-operative selling pre-loved clothing and provides employment opportunities in the community

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Co-op Congress, 17-18 June

Content by Co-op Congress
Our flagship annual event Co-op Congress, sponsored by The Co-operative Bank, is back as an in-person event with an online element. Join us at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham or online on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 June 2022.

Our AGM on 17 June

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) is one of the primary ways in which member organisations can participate in the democracy of Co‑operatives UK. Our AGM in 2022 will take place on 17 June during Co-op Congress.

Guide to co-ops

Read our handy guide, which explains in simple terms what a co‑op is (and why they're so great).

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…

Start a new co‑op

Looking to start a co‑op? Here you can access a step by step guide to starting a co‑op. Register your co‑op in days with our online registration tool. Access The Co‑operative Bank's FREE business banking. AND apply for additional business support to…

Latest news

NUDGE, plymouth

Milestone £200 million invested to transform communities

Content by Community Shares Booster Fund
As investment in community shares in the UK reaches a landmark figure, a new fund is launched to boost more communities through this flexible, innovative form of finance. 
23 hours ago
How many co-ops are there?
Co-op economy 2021 statistics

  • 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
 Find out more

Programmes to support your co-op

The Hive

Support for new co-ops, with advice, training and mentoring

Apply for support from the Hive

Community Shares

For community owned organisations looking to raise funds through community shares

Find out more about Community Shares

UnFound

For tech founders and start ups looking for a different way to run digital platforms

Find out more about platform co-ops

The Ownership Hub

Developing a fairer and more resilient regional economy by supporting more worker and employee ownership

Find out more about the Ownership Hub