Welcome to Co-operatives North West

Co-operatives North West is the regional network of co-operative enterprise in the North West of England. Over 400 co-operatives make a substantial contribution to the region's economic and social life, with turnover of £2,104 million and 15,000 jobs. Co-operatives North West is committed to strengthening the sector and providing a regional voice for co-operative and mutual organisations.

The Diversity of Co-operative Enterprise

The co-operative model is successfully applied in many different ways. We are all familiar with the consumer co-operatives on our shopping streets. Employee owned co-operatives have grown in popularity over the last 25 years or so, and are becoming ever more well known. Housing co-operatives provide an increasingly important element of the UK’s social housing market, while business co-operatives (wherein each member is a business in its own right) offer great potential for economic development. Other novel approaches continue to be developed, including community ownership, multi-stakeholder co-operatives, and a co-operative Community Interest Company. Co-operatives operate in all areas of our society and economy, delivering sustainable, profitable goods and services to diverse markets.

Co-operative Business Assistance

Co-operative Business Assistance is a programme which Co-operatives North West can offer to a limited amount of co-operatives in the region. The programme offers up to two days' free business advice and consultancy.

Co-operatives North West has secured funding for this programme from the North West Development Agency, through Social Enterprise North West, following a competitive tendering process. Co-operatives North West has contracted a consortium of co-operative development professionals to deliver high quality support to co-operative enterprise.  For further information, please go to our Co-op Support page.  To apply, please download our application form.