An altogether different way of doing business

What is a co-op?

Many of us have heard of co-ops, but do you actually know what one is? High street convenience stores are the most well-known type of co-op here in the UK, but they're not the only type of 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. Find out more >>

Altogether different

Read stories about how co‑operatives offer an altogether different way to do business; to support communities; and to support people:

Co-op Fortnight: Co-op Fortnight championing a different way to do business

Central Co-op: Make a choice to make a difference: Adding quality coffee or nuts to your shop can help improve the livelihoods of global communities

• Birmingham, Derby, Leicester, Nottingham, Staffordshire

Chorlton Bike Deliveries: "It's all about supporting the local community" - Meet the co-op helping Chorlton residents by delivering essential goods and more

Co-operative Development Scotland: Why co-ops are an altogether different way of doing business and setting one up could be transformational, featuring Greencity Wholefoods, Isle of Eigg Brewery, New Leaf Co-op and Granite Care Consortium.

Co-op Group:

• Manchester: The youth of Manchester find their voice and the world is listening
• Edinburgh: Bins and park benches: The teenager who is helping to make Springburn a great place to live
• Bristol: Cuppa and a natter: Funeral director's simple kindness helps bolster support network for the bereaved

Cwmpas: How five communities are responding to the housing crisis in Wales

East of England Co-operative: 

• Colchester Kings RFC: “Kings will always be a safe inclusive space for queer people and their allies to join in team sport”
• Future Female Society: “We are creating a community of women, raising them up and nurturing them - we cup them in our hands until they are ready to fly”

Lincolnshire Co-op: 

• Friendship at Home: Older people get a helping hand and listening ear to combat isolation and loneliness and improve their quality of life
• Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: The woodland farm project which is transforming people's lives in Lincolnshire

Loco Home Retrofit: 'We want to help end climate change' – the Glasgow business on a mission to save the planet, one home at a time

Midcounties Co-op:

• Birmingham: Miss Macaroon, Little Pioneers and more: How Midcounties Co-operative champions change
• Wilshire: Midcounties Co-operative uses its power to help tackle climate change
• Gloucestershire: Midcounties Co-operative uses its power to help tackle climate change

Co-op Fortnight has been featured in Belfast, Bristol, Cambridge, Cheshire, Cornwall, Coventry, Derby, Devon, Essex, Gloucestershire, Grimsby, Hertfordshire, Hull, Kent, Leicester, Lincolnshire, North Wales, Nottingham, Plymouth, Reading, Somerset, Staffordshire, Stoke, Surrey, Teeside, Wales (national).

Get involved with Co-op Fortnight

Co‑op Fortnight takes place Monday 19 June to Sunday 2 July and we need co-operatives to come together to make this our most powerful Co-op Fortnight campaign to date. Get involved >>