Find the UK co-ops
building a fairer economy
Browse real co-operatives by type, region, and membership status. Compare models, read practical guides, or add your own co-op to the directory.
What is a Co-operative?
A co-operative is a business owned and controlled by its members — the people who use it, work in it, or invest in it. Unlike conventional companies, co-ops distribute profits to members rather than external shareholders.
Voluntary & Open
Membership is open to all who can use the co-op's services and accept the responsibilities of membership.
Democratic Member Control
Members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.
Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to and democratically control the capital of their co-operative, often receiving a dividend.
Autonomy & Independence
Co-ops are self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter agreements with others, it is on terms that preserve their autonomy.
8 Types of Co-operative
Co-ops take many forms across the UK, each with a distinct purpose and legal structure.
Worker-Owned
19 in UKBusinesses owned and run by their workers, with one vote per member regardless of shareholding.
Housing
10 in UKCollectively owned housing providing affordable, stable homes managed democratically by residents.
Credit Unions
15 in UKNot-for-profit financial cooperatives offering savings accounts and affordable loans.
Agricultural
9 in UKFarmer-owned cooperatives for collective marketing, purchasing, and sharing equipment.
Energy
10 in UKCommunity-owned renewable energy projects keeping profits in local hands.
Consumer
16 in UKRetail and service co-ops owned by their customers, returning profits through dividends.
Social
5 in UKEnterprises whose primary purpose is social impact rather than profit for members.
Multi-Stakeholder
2 in UKCo-ops with two or more classes of members, balancing different stakeholder interests.
How to Start a Co-op
From a founding idea to a registered co-operative — here is the path.
Research & Plan
Identify your co-op type, build a founding team, and draft a business plan. Understand your market and what problem you solve.
Choose Legal Structure
Register as a Co-operative Society (FCA), CIC, CIO, or SCIO depending on your activities and jurisdiction. Each has different requirements.
Register Your Co-op
File your rules and registration with the FCA's Mutuals Register (or Companies House for CICs). This formally establishes your organisation.
Set Up Governance
Draft your rule book, elect your first board, and establish member meeting procedures. Your rules are your constitution.
Finance Your Launch
Raise member capital, apply for community shares, seek a co-op bank loan, or explore grant funding from bodies like Power to Change.
Launch & Grow
Open for business, recruit members, and begin the rhythm of democratic governance through regular member meetings.
Suma Wholefoods
Elland, West Yorkshire, England
Suma is the UK's largest wholefoods wholesale co-operative, supplying organic and ethical food to independent retailers, cafes, and co-ops across the country. Founded in 1977 by a group of vegetarians and activists, Suma has remained true to its founding principles of ethical trading and worker ownership. Every worker at Suma earns the same hourly rate regardless of role — from warehouse picker to managing director — and all major decisions are made collectively at member meetings. Suma distributes over 7,000 product lines including ambient groceries, chilled foods, frozen goods, and eco-friendly household products. The co-op also operates its own fleet of temperature-controlled vehicles and is a leading employer in the Calderdale area.
UK Co-op Sector at a Glance
Featured Co-operatives
More notable UK co-ops leading the way across different sectors and regions.
Unicorn Grocery
Manchester, England
Unicorn is a worker-owned grocery shop in Chorlton, south Manchester, known for its extensive range of organic, biodynam…
FeaturedLeeds Community Homes
Leeds, England
Leeds Community Homes is a community-led housing organisation that helps groups of people come together to create afford…
FeaturedSheffield Credit Union
Sheffield, England
Sheffield Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial co-operative offering savings accounts, loans, and basic banking se…
FeaturedBay Energy Co-op
Barrow-in-Furness, England
Bay Energy is a community energy co-operative in Cumbria that develops and operates renewable energy projects including …
FeaturedThe Phone Co-op
Sheffield, England
The Phone Co-op is a consumer co-operative providing mobile, broadband, and business telecoms services. It is the only U…
FeaturedCo-operative Group
Manchester, England
The Co-operative Group is the UK's largest consumer co-operative, operating grocery stores, funeral services, legal serv…
FeaturedBig Issue Group
London, England
Big Issue Group is a social enterprise that helps homeless and marginalised people earn a living through selling The Big…
FeaturedEdinburgh Bicycle Co-operative
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative is Scotland's largest independent bike retailer, owned by its workers. With shops across …
FeaturedFirst Milk Co-operative
Glasgow, Scotland
First Milk is a British farmer-owned dairy co-operative, with members across England, Scotland, and Wales. The co-op pro…
FeaturedPlymouth Energy Community
Plymouth, England
Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) is a community benefit society developing rooftop solar on schools and community buildin…
Latest from the Blog
Guides, stories, and analysis from the UK co-operative movement.
The First Year in a Worker Co-op: What Changes Day to Day?
A practical look at meetings, pay, decision-making, probation, and the small habits that make worker ownership feel real.
Choosing a Legal Structure for a UK Co-op
Co-operative society, community benefit society, company limited by guarantee, CIC or charity? Here is how to think about the choice.
Funding Routes for New Co-ops
Member shares, community shares, grants, patient loans, trading income and blended finance for groups getting started.
Resources & Guides
Everything you need to research, plan, and launch your co-operative.
Types of Co-operative in the UK: A Guide
An accessible overview of all eight co-operative types, their legal structures, governance requirements, and which sectors they are best suited to.
Read more →Co-operative Governance: A Practical Guide
How to run effective member meetings, make democratic decisions, elect a board, and handle conflicts in a co-operative — written for newly formed groups.
Read more →Worker Co-op Code of Governance
Co-operatives UK's official guidance on the worker co-operative code, covering member control, democratic practice, and what good worker ownership looks like in practice.
Read more →Need a website for your co-op?
OpsHelp builds professional, fast websites for co-operatives and social enterprises — and looks after hosting, email, and IT so your members can focus on the mission.