Case studies
Read inspiring stories about co-operatives and community owned businesses across the UK.
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The Bookery: A new chapter for a much-loved community hub
Content by Booster Fund
When a Devon bookshop needed investment to secure its future, its community stepped up – with support from Co-operatives UK and the Community Shares Booster Fund.
23rd September 2026
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Northern Community Bank: Strengthening co‑operative governance to innovate and better serve account holders
When co‑operative Northern Community Bank embarked upon one of its biggest changes in its 44‑year history, it recognised that strong governance is essential to underpin successful evolution and…
11th August 2026
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British Wool: championing farmers and workers with expert HR support
Meet the co‑op that’s expertly serving the needs of members and employees, with the help of Co‑operative’s UK HR Package, which is like having a dependable “extra member of the team.”
14th July 2026
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Creating Space Art Therapy: A co‑operative home for creative healing
Content by Business Support for Co-ops
Discover how a trio of art therapists from West Yorkshire transformed their frustrations over practical constraints into a community-centred space that’s perfect for their profession – with help from…
6th May 2026
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CCF: Farmers first – always – through the power of co‑operation
Meet our member Clynderwen and Cardiganshire Farmers, a Welsh co‑operative that’s been helping rural businesses thrive for more than a century – and which continues to evolve, invest and innovate to…
23rd April 2026
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The Amulet Centre: Community power turning the lights back on at a lost local theatre
Content by Business Support for Co-ops
Discover how, with support from two Co‑operatives UK programmes, a much-loved but long-closed theatre is being brought back to life to serve the community of a historic market town.
1st April 2026
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Dialogue Practitioners Co‑operative: Reshaping a vital peace building mission into a co‑op
Content by Business Support for Co-ops
When being a charity became more competitive than collaborative, a Northern Irish peace building organisation decided it was time to set up as a co‑operative.
24th March 2026
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Vintage Trains: Full steam ahead thanks to community ownership
Meet one of our most mobile members: an operator of trains powered by steam – and the community – to make its business a success.
17th March 2026
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Incremental Architecture: From company to co‑operative for colleagues and community
Content by Business Support for Co-ops
Meet the team with a passion for community‑led change to buildings and places who became a worker co‑operative to align with their ethics and values.
18th February 2026
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Friends of the Earth Birmingham: Breathing new, energy‑efficient life into a much‑loved community hub
Content by Booster Fund
Discover how finance through the Energy Efficiency Sharematch Fund helped improve a building that’s home to organisations working for a better, fairer world.
22nd January 2026
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All Together Money: Strengthening Board effectiveness to support the credit union movement
Meet the co‑operative representing more than half of all credit unions across England, Scotland and Wales – and discover how an external Board Effectiveness Review from Co‑operatives UK helped sharpen…
21st January 2026
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The Arcade Dewsbury: Building solid governance foundations for the UK’s first community‑run shopping centre
Meet the community business reviving a historic retail arcade and – thanks to expert help from Co‑operatives UK – doing essential governance groundwork to secure the long-term sustainability of the…
1st January 2026
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Bethnal Green Working Friends Club: Preserving a cultural hub for a community that loves it
Content by Business Support for Co-ops
A centuries-old venue that’s become a focal point for a London community is worth saving. And that’s what a passionate group of people are fighting for – with help from Business Support for Co-ops.
10th December 2025
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FROMTHEGROUNDUP: Building fairer foundations in architecture
Content by Business Support for Co-ops
For three socially conscious architects passionate about doing business more ethically, establishing their practice as a worker co‑operative was a no brainer – with help from the Business Support for…
1st December 2025
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Community shares offer helps reclaim the New Clarence
Content by Booster Fund
Across the UK, communities are reclaiming their local pubs – just like this city centre community hub in Hull – and co-operatives are powering the revival.
29th October 2025
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Co-operative Network Infrastructure: Rewiring the digital economy
In a digital world dominated by closed networks, private control and long-term commercial lock-ins, Co-operative Network Infrastructure (CNI) offers a radical alternative.
14th October 2025