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-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
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 Resources

Search for documents relating to your area of interest.

What is a co-operative?

Type: Practical guides | Topic: About co-operatives | Format: Film

A short film explaining what a co-operative is, their performance in 2015 and and what a difference they can make to people by giving them control over things that matter to them.

Co-operatives UK Board of Directors Update on Key Decisions - Dec 2018

Type: Co-operatives UK documents | Topic: Governance | Format: Report | 1

The Board of Directors of Co-operatives UK met on 05 December, for its final meeting of the year. The agenda focused on significant strategic decisions to confirm our operational and financial plans...

Co-operative Principles poster

Type: Co-operatives UK documents | Topic: About co-operatives | Format: Graphics | 3

Let's all shout about our co-operative values and principles! And to help we commissioned our member, Creative Coop to create a new poster which celebrates the principles upon which all co-operatives...

Impact Report 2018

Type: Co-operatives UK documents | Topic: About co-operatives | Format: Report | 1

Support from our members in 2018 helped us to promote, develop and unite the UK's co-operatives in many different ways. To show our collective impact we've put together a short guide which, perhaps...

Changes in the competition settlement for agriculture: an impact assessment

Type: Co-operatives UK documents | Topic: About co-operatives | Format: Report | 1

Getting a better deal for societies: consultation document

Type: Co-operatives UK documents | Topic: About co-operatives | Format: Documents and policies | 1

Think-piece: Co-operatives in the Creative Industries

Type: Co-operatives UK documents | Topic: About co-operatives | Format: Documents and policies | 1

This think-piece, written by Dave Boyle and Kate Oakley and published by Co-operatives UK, examines the potential for co-operatives in the creative industries. The authors say: "Co-ops have the...

ATED and Higher-Rate SDLT: creating reliefs for non-registered provider housing co-operatives

Type: Co-operatives UK documents | Topic: Finance | Format: Report | 1

Co-operatives UK Board of Directors Update on Key Decisions - Sept 2018

Type: Co-operatives UK documents | Topic: Governance | Format: Report | 1

The Board of Directors of Co-operatives UK met on 19 September; the agenda included updates and directional decisions on key areas of our strategic plan and recent policy work. A summary of the Board...

Agriculture Bill: a co-operative analysis (draft)

Type: Practical guides | Topic: About co-operatives | Format: Information sheet | 1

Working draft of analysis of Agriculture Bill. Updated 17 September 2018.

About

Promoting co-operatives

Developing co-operatives

Uniting co-operatives

Membership