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Supporting fair and ethical business in partnership with The Co-operative Bank

2.1 What is a co‑op?

In this section we outline what a co‑op business is, and the features that will determine whether it's the best route for you – including the many benefits of being a co‑op.

What is a co-op?

A co-op is a business or organisation that’s owned and controlled by its members, to meet their shared needs. 

The members can be its customers, employees, residents or suppliers, who have a say in how the co-op is run.

Members choose what to do with profits, whether distributing among members, reinvesting in the business or giving back to the community.

Every co-op across the world shares the same co-operative principles and values.

Why a co-op?

To work out if a co-op is right for your business idea, we take you through a few steps to help you understand what being a co-op means.

What is a co‑op?

Is a co-op right for me?

We outline what being a co-op means so you can understand if it's the right route for your business.
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