About
About

The network for Britain’s thousands of co-operative businesses, Co-operatives UK works to promote, develop and unite member-owned business worth £36 billion to the British economy.

Overview
- About Co-operatives UK
  Learn more about our governance and strategy, read annual reports, and disover the latest career opportunities
- What is a co-operative?
  Co-operatives are driven by values and not just profit. Discover more about what makes co-ops so special
- Case studies
  Read a selection of case studies to discover why the co-op model works for all sorts of businesses and puts members in control
- The co-operative economy
  Discover the total turnover of the UK's co-operative sector and latest trends
- Contact Us
Close
Campaigns
& Policy
Promoting co-operatives

We bring co-operatives together to campaign on vital issues, raise awareness of co-operative businesses and help create a level playing field for the start-up and growth of co-operatives.

Overview
- Co-operatives Fortnight
  Once a year co-ops of all shapes and sizes come together to show the power of co-operation
- Influencing Policy
  Details on our role in campaigning for co-operative policy and getting members involved
- Fair Tax Mark
  Details on gaining Fair Tax Mark accreditation
- Brexit
  Our position and plans on how co-operatives can thrive in a post-Brexit Britain.
Close
Advice &
Training
Developing co-operatives

As the UK’s network for co-operatives, we help new-starts get off the ground, provide specialist advice for growing businesses and lead major programmes to develop the UK co-operative sector.

Overview
- Advice and support for your co-op
  Expert advice on everything from governance to HR. Discover how we can help develop your co-op
- The Hive
  Start or grow a co-operative/community enterprises using this new business support programme
- Register your co-op
  Use our expert advice and guidance to register your co-op society or company
- Grow your co-op
  Tips and tricks for making the most of your co-operative business
Close
Events
Uniting co-operatives

As the network for the UK’s co-operative businesses, we organise flagship national events and facilitate networks and workshops to enable co-operatives to connect, learn and do business with one another.

Overview
- Co-op Congress
  The co-operative sector’s annual conference, when members, directors, activists and CEOs from co‑ops large and small come together
- Events calendar
  Upcoming conferences, training events, networking opportunities and member group gatherings
- Training for co-ops
  Strengthen in key areas from governance and finance to marketing
- The Hive online community
  This is a place for new and existing co‑ops to ask questions, offer advice and discuss issues with peers
Close
Membership
Membership

As the network for Britain’s thousands of co-operative businesses, we provide our members with access to advice, training, networking and events.

Overview
- Benefits of membership
  Discover what membership can do for you and your co-op
- Membership packages
  Small or large, retail or agriculture, we've got a package to suit the full spectrum of co-ops
- Contact Package
  Your co-op can access the best support from some of the UK’s leading advisers on governance, finance, HR and membership.
- HR package
  High quality HR advice and support plus significant procurement savings are just some of the benefits
- Agricultural package
  Find out about our bespoke membership offer for farmer-controlled businesses
Close
Search

Search for a local co-op Browse the newsroom Downloadable resources
Close

Co-operatives UK newsroom

Co-operatives UK is the network for Britain’s thousands of co-operatives. It works to promote, develop and unite member-owned businesses across the economy. From high street retailers to community owned pubs, fan owned football clubs to farmer controlled businesses, co-operatives are everywhere and together they are worth £36 billion to the British economy.

For enquiries about the UK co-operative sector or Co-operatives UK, contact us.

Follow Co-operatives UK on Twitter (@CooperativesUK) and Facebook.

'The Father of Co-operation' – Robert Owen statue returns

A blog by Ed Mayo* | 4 months ago

I was honoured to speak at a ceremony marking the return of a statue of Robert Owen outside The Co-operative Bank's head office on Balloon Street in...

Funding for next generation community energy businesses

Press release | 4 months ago

Grants of up to £100,000 are available for experienced community energy businesses through The Next Generation programme. But hurry - as the closing...

Join us for two weeks of mass co-operation

Press release | 5 months ago

The Co-op Fortnight 2019 campaign is launched today (22 Nov) to a packed room of delegates at the annual Practitioners Forum . Taking place from 24...

We applaud the FCA's efforts to offer societies a better deal.

Press release | 5 months ago

Among the many issues for co-operative and community benefit societies that we've lobbied on recently, the rather limited service societies get from...

Support the UK’s first social care platform co-op

Press release | 5 months ago

Equal Care Co-op is setting out to change the way the UK's care industry works, refocusing the power, choice, and control onto the most important...

Community Leisure UK join as federal members

Press release | 5 months ago

Community Leisure UK, the national association of leisure and cultural trusts has joined Co-operatives UK as a federal member, bringing closer...

Free desk and meeting room space for start-ups with a social goal

Press release | 5 months ago

Start-up social enterprises and organisations with a social goal across the North West can now apply for one year of free desk and meeting room space...

Co-op Policy Blog #8: Shared Prosperity

A blog by James Wright | 6 months ago

Policy Blog #8 calls for more attention to be paid to the current government's inclusive economy agenda. We're floating possible advocacy positions...

Communities Week: One in four people would help save or run a community building or space

A blog by Leila O'Sullivan | 7 months ago

A recent survey 1 , run by YouGov on behalf of Co‑operatives UK, reveals that almost one in four people would help save or run a local community pub...

Can the Church be a Co-op?

A blog by Irena Pistun* | 7 months ago

Pope Francis wrote the following: "Cooperatives challenge everything, even mathematics, because in a cooperative one plus one makes three! And in a...

What we're talking about

Enjoying the long weekend? We're looking forward to Community Business Weekend on 16-19 May #CBWkd19 and 😍 this vid… https://t.co/VMniKsTNup
@CooperativesUK2 hours ago
You think bank holiday weekends are good? For all worker co-ops we reckon this weekend is even better ⬇️ Get the 🔥… https://t.co/Dm04e41Rvs
@CooperativesUK1 day ago
We've in seventh heaven! Our daily tweet focusing on a different one of the seven principles all co-operatives are… https://t.co/VWojvkzMbu
@CooperativesUK1 day ago

Co-operatives UK Limited,
Holyoake House,
Hanover Street,
Manchester,
M60 0AS.

Registered in England as a registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014.
Reg No. 2783R
Vat Reg. 147 8611 47

About

Promoting co-operatives

Developing co-operatives

Uniting co-operatives

Membership

Co-operatives UK newsroom

'The Father of Co-operation' – Robert Owen statue returns

Funding for next generation community energy businesses

Join us for two weeks of mass co-operation

We applaud the FCA's efforts to offer societies a better deal.

Support the UK’s first social care platform co-op

Community Leisure UK join as federal members

Free desk and meeting room space for start-ups with a social goal

Co-op Policy Blog #8: Shared Prosperity

Communities Week: One in four people would help save or run a community building or space

Can the Church be a Co-op?

Pages

What we're talking about

The Co-operative College: Effective Communication - Manchester

The Co-operative College: Work With Conflict - Manchester

The Co-operative College: Exploring International Co-operative Development - Manchester