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Co‑operatives UK is the voice for the UK’s thousands of independent co‑ops.
We're all about helping co-operatives – from established businesses to new-starts – be the best they can be.

The National Youth Summit brings together young people, leaders, change-makers and creators to empower the younger generation through co‑operation.
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International Year of Co‑operatives
Content by International Year of Co-operatives
The United Nations (UN) has designated 2025 as the International Year of Co-operatives because of the impact of co-operatives globally in addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges. Get involved as we celebrate how co-operatives build…
Content by International Year of Co-operatives

Co-op Retail Conference 2025
Content by Co-op Retail Conference
Join us at Eastwood Hall in Nottingham for Co‑op Retail Conference 2025 – for another weekend of unmissable networking and knowledge sharing for co‑operative retail leaders. Sponsored by VME Coop.
Content by Co-op Retail Conference

Enhancing member value at Co‑operatives UK with 'member-first' online features
As part of a member-focused programme of improvements, Co-operatives UK has launched the first phase of a range of new website features.

Record-breaking Co-operative and Mutual Economy numbers set baseline for Labour 'doubling the size' pledge
The Co-operative and Mutual Economy Report 2024 reveals record-breaking figures, with thousands of businesses contributing billions to the UK economy and employing more than 1.3 million people.

Shaping the future of co-operative law
Following the Law Commission’s landmark consultation on co-operative and community benefit society law - and significant member input - Co-operatives UK has submitted an extensive and detailed response.

Support for your co‑op
We provide expert support in governance, HR, finance, marketing, membership strategy and co-operative development. Browse our extensive library of online resources, blogs and information and get in touch for bespoke support and training.
Latest news
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Olympic gold medallist heads winning Co-op Retail Conference line-up
Content by Co-op Retail Conference
An Olympic champion is set to inspire and challenge customer-owned retailers at this year’s Co-op Retail Conference, 14-16 March in Nottingham, proudly sponsored by VME Coop for the seventh…
5 days
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Co-operative Growth Strategy launched: Join our webinar to learn more
On the same day (29 January) that the Chancellor set out government’s plans for growth, Co-operatives UK has unveiled its Co-operative Growth Strategy, detailing how a partnership between the sector…
1 week 5 days
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New research: Gen Z demands workplaces with purpose – and co-operatives fit the bill
Content by International Year of Co-operatives
Gen Z Brits want to work for a company that shares their values like honesty, green credentials and social responsibility, according to new research from Co-operatives UK released to mark to start of…
2 weeks 6 days
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Coventry Building Society completes acquisition of The Co-operative Bank
One of the UK's largest building societies has finalised its acquisition of The Co‑operative Bank, restoring it to mutual ownership and combining both values-driven organisations.
1 month 1 week
Co-operatives are brilliant businesses
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- The UK’s 7,586 independent co-ops employ 249,142 people
- Co-ops contribute £40.9 billion to the UK economy
- There are nearly 13.4 million memberships of co-ops - the members own and have a say in how co-ops operate
- 83.3% of co-operative new-starts survive the first five years compared to just 38.% of other businesses
Programmes to support your co-op

Business Support for Co-ops
Access tailored business support and digital tools designed to help you start or grow your co-op

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