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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
Featured content
New report: Co‑operatives help tackle mental health and employment issues experienced by younger people
A chronic lack of awareness is damaging the ability of co‑operatives to provide answers to social issues faced by younger people.
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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UK co-operative sector encouraged to support DEC Pakistan floods appeal
Co-operatives UK and the International Co-operatives Working Group is calling on the co-operative movement to back the DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal after devastating floods affect one third of the…
8 days ago
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Co-operatives call on new Prime Minister to act now or face ‘doom-loop’
Government must take immediate and effective action to prevent permanent damage to UK businesses, including co-operatives.
22 days ago
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New Bill for co-operatives in Parliament
Co-operatives UK is supporting a new Bill boosting co-operative investment, innovation and development.
30 days ago
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New report: Co‑operatives help tackle mental health and employment issues experienced by younger people
A chronic lack of awareness is damaging the ability of co‑operatives to provide answers to social issues faced by younger people.
2 months 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