UK Social Enterprise Awards coming to Manchester’s co-operative quarter in first partnership with Co-operatives UK
News item
The UK Social Enterprise Awards 2026 will take place in Manchester for the first time, bringing the country’s leading celebration of purpose-driven business to the heart of the city’s historic co-operative quarter. Co-produced by Co-operatives UK and Social Enterprise UK, the event will celebrate organisations using business to create social and environmental impact.
The UK’s biggest celebration of businesses with a social or environmental purpose is heading to Manchester. The UK Social Enterprise Awards 2026 will take place on 12 November at New Century Hall, in the city’s co-operative quarter, marking the first time the awards have taken place outside London.
The awards will be co-produced by Co-operatives UK and Social Enterprise UK for the first time. This year’s programme will also include a dedicated co-operative award, recognising the contribution of democratic, member-owned businesses to social and environmental impact.
Applications for UK Social Enterprise Awards now open
Rose Marley, CEO of Co-operatives UK, said: "Greater Manchester is the perfect place to celebrate businesses that put people and purpose first. Co-operatives are owned by their members, rooted in their communities and built to share power, opportunity and impact. These are values we share with the wider social enterprise movement, so we’re proud to be working with Social Enterprise UK to bring the awards to Manchester.”
Awards categories
Designed to capture the strength, diversity and impact of the social enterprise movement, there are 15 categories:
- UK Social Enterprise of the Year
- One to Watch Award
- Prove It: Social Impact Award
- 'Buy Social’ Market Builder Award
- Social Investment Deal of the Year
- Public Services Social Enterprise of the Year
- Consumer-Facing Social Enterprise of the Year
- Education, Training & Jobs Social Enterprise of the Year
- Environmental Social Enterprise of the Year
- Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity & Justice Award
- Social Enterprise Women’s Champion of the Year
- International Impact Award
- Community-Based Social Enterprise Award
- Social Enterprise Technology or Innovation of the Year
- Co-op of the Year
Organisations can submit applications for up to three categories. Discover more about the awards categories and apply >>
A venue fit for purpose
The awards venue, New Century Hall, was originally the headquarters of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, a collective of around 300 co-operatives. The roots of the Society can be traced back to the Rochdale Pioneers, the working people who laid the foundations for the modern co-operative movement. In 1844, they opened a store based on fairness, democracy and shared benefit, principles that went on to inspire co-operatives around the world.
During the 1960s, the hall hosted concerts by Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones, and was also a mainstay party venue during the city’s 'Madchester' era. The event will also be co-produced by Co-operatives UK and Social Enterprise UK for the first time.
All together now
Following on from last year’s ‘Festival of Hope’, this year’s theme will be ‘All Together Now’. The awards recognise sector excellence in social enterprises of all sizes across a range of 15 categories, from innovation to impact. Among last year’s winners were Social Enterprise of the Year Change Please, a coffee company using profits to tackle homelessness, and ‘One to watch’ winners EcoCoach CIC, which provides inclusive PE and sports coaching for schools.
More information about tickets will be announced soon on social media channels.