Co-operative Council

Co-operatives can be structured in different ways depending on who owns and benefits from the organisation.

Worker co-operatives

Owned and run by employees, worker co-operatives give staff a direct say in how the organisation operates. Profits are typically reinvested in the business or shared among members.

Consumer co-operatives

Owned by customers, consumer co-operatives allow members to influence how the organisation is run while benefiting from the services and products it provides.

Community co-operatives

Owned and controlled by local people or members with a shared interest, community co-operatives are established to deliver benefits for the wider community.

Co-operative consortia

Formed by groups of businesses or organisations working together, these co-operatives enable members to share resources, reduce costs and strengthen their collective buying power.

Agricultural and fishing co-operatives

These co-operatives bring producers together to market their goods, purchase equipment and services, and secure better value through collaboration.

Housing co-operatives

Housing co-operatives are owned and managed by their members, providing an alternative approach to housing based on shared ownership, responsibility and community involvement.

Find out more

If you're looking for more information on cooperatives in the UK or are interested in establishing your own you find out more information on Co-operatives UK.