Established in 1869, Co-operatives UK has traditionally been regarded as the apex body for consumer co-operatives in the UK. However, today its membership is much wider than consumer co-ops.

Co-operatives UK supports the lay and professional leadership of co-ops, for example by providing training for directors and employees; it is concerned with improving the trading performance of societies; it develops effective partnerships between co-operative sectors and organisations in the UK and promotes co-operation in the UK and world-wide; it maintains good relations with government and parliament in support of co-operative business and principles and organises the annual meeting of the Movement - Co-operative Congress.

In December 2001 the Industrial Common Ownership Movement (ICOM), the national body for worker co-ops and employee-owned businesses, merged with Co-operatives UK.

Co-operatives UK web site is www.cooperatives-uk.coop. You can get in touch by calling 0161 246 2900 or e-mail enquiries@cooperatives-uk.coop