About coops.uk
coops.uk is the UK's cooperative hub — a resource for people wanting to find out about, join, or start co-operative organisations.
What is a Co-operative?
A co-operative is a voluntary member-led organisation that is owned and controlled by its members — the people who use its services, work in it, or live in it. Co-operatives operate across every sector of the economy, from retail and farming to housing, finance, and energy.
The defining feature is democratic governance: each member typically has one vote regardless of how much they have invested. This contrasts with conventional companies, where voting power is proportional to shareholding and profits flow to external shareholders rather than the people who create them.
The UK Co-operative Movement
The modern co-operative movement was born in 1844 when the Rochdale Pioneers — a group of 28 textile workers in Rochdale, Lancashire — opened their first shop. They established the principles that still guide co-operatives today: open membership, democratic control, member economic participation, education, and cooperation between co-ops.
Today the UK co-operative sector employs around 250,000 people, serves millions of members, and generates billions in annual turnover. The movement includes household names like the Co-operative Group, major mutual insurers, thousands of smaller co-ops, and a growing number of newly formed worker-owned businesses.
The 7 Co-operative Principles
Voluntary & Open Membership
Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership.
Democratic Member Control
Co-operatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.
Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative.
Autonomy & Independence
Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members.
Education, Training & Information
Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, and staff.
Co-operation Among Co-operatives
Co-operatives serve their members most effectively by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
Concern for Community
Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.
Key Organisations
Co-operatives UK →
The national trade body for co-operative enterprises in the UK, providing representation, advice, and events.
Plunkett Foundation →
Supports rural communities to set up and run co-operative enterprises, particularly community shops and pubs.
Co-op Bank →
The UK's leading ethical bank, owned by its customers and committed to not investing in arms, tobacco, or environmental harm.
FCA Mutuals Register →
The official register of UK co-operative societies, community benefit societies, and credit unions.