Image
Birmingham Bike Foundry is a worker co-operative that repairs and refurbishes bikes and provides training courses for individuals and organisations
Understanding co‑ops
Many of us have heard of co-operatives, but do you actually know what one is? Spoiler alert: they are not only high street convenience stores (although those are the most well known type of co-operative).
Featured content
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.
Co-op values and principles
From the outside a co-op may look like any other business – it’s what happens inside that makes them different. All co-ops are based on the same principles and they share a set of values.
Types of co-ops
Co-ops are found everywhere and together they contribute over £38 billion to the UK economy. Learn more about the different types of co-ops and who owns them.
Co-ops across the world
The modern day co-op movement was founded in Rochdale, Lancashire in 1844. Since then, the co-operative model has spread across the world, impacting on the lives of over a billion people.
How co-ops began
Its 175 years since the first commercially successful co-op was founded.
About us
As the voice of the UK’s co-operative movement, we empower and support co-operative enterprise with specialised knowledge and expertise, to grow the co-operative economy and create a fairer society.
Quick facts about co-ops
Did you know there are 14 million co-op members in the UK? That’s equivalent to a fifth of the population. There’s a global movement that all co-operatives across the world are part of. Here’s just a few quick facts…
What does membership mean
Co-ops are businesses owned by their members. But what does it mean to be a member of a co-op?
Research
Co-operatives UK is the home of UK co-operative statistics. We collate turnover, membership, employee figures, and more for thousands of co‑op businesses and create the nation's only comprehensive report on the UK's co-operative sector.
Related content
Image
Benefits of membership
We help co-operatives become the best they can be. Here you'll find information about how we support and empower co-operatives and co-operation.
3 years 6 months
Image
Our governance
We are owned and controlled by our members. Find out how to get involved in our governance.
3 years 6 months
Image
Co-op values and principles posters
Co-ops across the world are based on shared values and principles. These colourful posters are a great reminder.
3 years 10 months
Image
Guide to co-ops
Read our handy guide, which explains in simple terms what a co‑op is (and why they're so great).
3 years 6 months