Plain‑English guides to forming, funding and running a co‑op — plus a directory of advisers, banks and legal help. Built for founders, by people who've read the rulebooks so you don't have to.
Most people arrive with one of three questions. Pick yours.
The full process from idea to registration — pick a model, write your rules, register, and open a bank account.
DecideCo‑operative society vs CIC vs company limited by guarantee vs LLP — compared on tax, cost, liability and control.
Get helpBrowse UK co‑op development advisers, solicitors, accountants and co‑op‑friendly banks in one directory.
The rules and money work differently depending on what you're building.
A business owned and run by the people who work in it. How to set one up and pay yourselves.
Owned by residentsAffordable, member‑controlled housing. Legal forms, funding routes and the practical first steps.
Owned by a communityPubs, shops, energy and football clubs saved by their communities — and how community shares work.
The moneyCommunity shares, co‑op banks, grants and ethical lenders — where co‑ops actually get their money.
New to all this? A cooperative is simply a business owned and democratically controlled by its members — one member, one vote — rather than by outside shareholders. Around 7,000 co‑ops operate in the UK across retail, housing, farming, energy and more. Read the 3‑minute primer →
The official guidance is scattered across gov.uk, the FCA register and membership bodies. We pull the practical answers into one place — and point you to the right professional when you need one.