Guides hub
Guides to starting and running a UK co‑operative
Everything you need to take a co‑operative from idea to incorporation — written for the UK. We cover the legal structures (registered society under the Co‑operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, CIC, company limited by guarantee and LLP), how to register with the FCA or Companies House, the main co‑op types, and how to raise money. Pick a guide below.
These guides are general information, not legal or financial advice. For decisions specific to your group, take professional advice — our adviser directory can help you find a specialist.
Start here
New to co‑operatives?
If you are at the beginning, read these two first. They explain what a co‑operative actually is in UK law and walk you through the practical steps to set one up.
What is a co‑operative?
The definition, the seven co‑operative principles, member ownership and democratic control — and how a co‑op differs from a charity or a standard limited company.
Step by stepHow to start a co‑operative
An eight‑step route from forming a steering group and choosing a legal structure to writing rules, registering, and opening for business.
Decision toolCompare legal structures
Side‑by‑side comparison of registered society, CIC, company limited by guarantee and LLP — cost, regulator, liability and asset lock at a glance.
By co‑op type
Guides for your kind of co‑op
The structure and rules that suit you depend on who your members are and what the co‑op does. Choose the model closest to your project.
Worker co‑operatives
Businesses owned and run by the people who work in them — one member, one vote. How they are governed, paid and structured, and model rules to start from.
Member homesHousing co‑operatives
Fully mutual and other housing co‑op models, tenant control, the role of the Regulator of Social Housing, and where development finance can come from.
Owned by the communityCommunity co‑operatives
Community shops, pubs, energy and land projects. Community benefit societies, community shares, and registering an asset of community value.
Money & legal
Funding, finance and the legal essentials
Once you know your structure, the next questions are usually about money and registration. These guides cover where co‑ops raise capital and what the law expects of you.
Funding a co‑operative
Member shares and community shares, co‑operative and ethical lenders, grants, crowdfunding and patient capital — with the trade‑offs of each route.
Registration & regulatorsWhich regulator, which cost?
Registered societies are registered by the FCA; CICs and companies by Companies House. Compare registration fees, filing duties and the asset lock.
Start with What is a co‑operative? to get the concepts straight, then use the structure comparison to narrow down your legal form. When you are ready for hands‑on help, browse vetted solicitors, accountants and consultants in our adviser directory.
Ready to move from reading to doing?
Find specialist co‑operative advisers, registration agents and lenders in our directory. Some listings are commercial partners and we may earn a commission from links or featured placements — this never changes our editorial guides.