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
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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.
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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
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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-operative Retail Conference
  The only annual conference designed specifically for for co-operative retail societies
- 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
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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
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Search

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

Blog: Scotland's worker ownership agenda

A blog by James Wright | 3 months ago

With its expanded support for worker ownership the Scottish Government continues to set the pace in inclusive economic policy, writes Co-operatives...

Brexit, Governance and Business – What should Boards and Directors be doing?

A blog by Ed Mayo | 3 months ago

The issue of the first of 80 technical notices by the government this week on different aspects of a Brexit no-deal is relevant to every UK business...

Confidence in Business at a 40-Year Low

Press release | 3 months ago

With an uncertain Brexit around the corner, consumer confidence in business has fallen to a dramatic low. New survey data released today (Thursday 23...

Civil Society Strategy: first impressions

A blog by James Wright | 4 months ago

Government has just published its Civil Society Strategy, setting out how the Westminster government intends to nurture, support and work with civil...

Co-op Policy Blog #7: Making headway in Westminster

A blog by James Wright | 4 months ago

Policy Blog #7 is a whistle stop round-up of four recent developments. We demonstrate that it is possible to make progress for co-ops in Westminster...

A tribute to Terry Thomas

A blog by Ed Mayo | 5 months ago

The death of Terry Thomas, Lord Thomas of Macclesfield, has stripped us of the most imaginative and far-sighted co‑operative entrepreneur of his day...

Live crowdfunder raises over £15,000 worth of support for platform co-ops

Press release | 5 months ago

At Co‑op Congress on 23 June, seven fledgling platform co‑ops took to the stage to pitch for seed funding as part of an exciting live crowdfunder...

Co-operatives invited to put forward their Bright Ideas for a share of £700,000

Press release | 5 months ago

Community co-ops are being encouraged to apply to the £700,000 fourth round of the Bright Ideas Fund before the 14 August deadline. Power to Change,...

Unleashing plans to double the co‑operative sector

Press release | 5 months ago

Co-operatives UK welcomes a report launched today at Parliament (3 July 2018) by New Economics Foundation, which sets out the aim to double the...

Growing need for more co-operation in the farming sector in run-up to Brexit

Press release | 5 months ago

Further collaboration in farming is "key to ensuring sector success post-Brexit." The Co-operative Economy 2018 report reveals that turnover from...

What we're talking about

Delighted to welcome @hempenorganic back into membership. Loads of great stuff happening next year and great to hav… https://t.co/C2AaMY71tp
@CooperativesUK10 hours ago
Sometimes you just get the urge to say... 💕 #coops 💕 https://t.co/rbCXZf2Og5
@CooperativesUK17 hours ago
We were so inspired by the amazing work going on at @projektsmcr! Take a look at the video: https://t.co/7Nj4SS2UBg https://t.co/1sspHeIHlU
@CooperativesUK1 day ago

About

Promoting co-operatives

Developing co-operatives

Uniting co-operatives

Membership

Co-operatives UK newsroom

Blog: Scotland's worker ownership agenda

Brexit, Governance and Business – What should Boards and Directors be doing?

Confidence in Business at a 40-Year Low

Civil Society Strategy: first impressions

Co-op Policy Blog #7: Making headway in Westminster

A tribute to Terry Thomas

Live crowdfunder raises over £15,000 worth of support for platform co-ops

Co-operatives invited to put forward their Bright Ideas for a share of £700,000

Unleashing plans to double the co‑operative sector

Growing need for more co-operation in the farming sector in run-up to Brexit

Pages

What we're talking about

Future Cooperatives: Strategic Planning in Cooperatives educational - Birmingham

Future Co-ops: Can co-operative deserts bloom? - Birmingham

Foster Care Co-operative: ‘Your Child’s Digital World’ Fostering Conference - Rotherham