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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.
Glad Rags is a co-operative selling pre-loved clothing and provides employment opportunities in the community
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Contact package
Our contact package provides access to the best support from leading advisers on co-op governance, finance, HR and membership.
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…
Become a member
We exist to meet our member needs, we’ve been supporting organisations like yours for 150 years. Find out how to become a member.
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…
Guide to co-ops
Read our handy guide, which explains in simple terms what a co‑op is (and why they're so great).
Latest news
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Mayor of London Sadiq Khan commits to supporting worker co-ops and employee-owned businesses
Content by Ownership Hub
Sadiq Khan announces ground-breaking new partnership with Co-operatives UK and the Employee Ownership Association (EOA) to boost worker ownership and employee ownership in London.
21 hours ago
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Cardiff hosts European summit on the future of co-operation in Europe
Delegates from across the continent will gather in Cardiff on 21-22 November to discuss how the movement should evolve to attract a new generation of co-operators.
21 days ago
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Full steam ahead for first co-operatively owned rail service
Formal application submitted to run a co-operatively owned train services in Somerset and Wiltshire.
28 days ago
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Seeking an expert to join our co‑operative governance panel
The Co‑operative Governance Expert Reference Panel, led and facilitated by Co‑operatives UK, is looking for a new panel member.
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