241 Co-operators

25/09/2026

Co-operatives really do work, both in terms of economic and social benefits. In fact, they perform better than 'traditional' forms of business. See the latest figures in Co-operative UK's most recent report.

21/09/2026

Your members are crucial for the future of your Society. Attend this webinar to plan how how your Society will keep its members involved.

Your community share has completed... so what happens next? 🤔

Keeping members engaged is one of the biggest challenges societies face - especially if you've got a big membership, non-local supporters, or you're seeing people drift away over time.

Join our trainin on Wednesday 7 October on effective member engagement. This training is packed with real experience from established societies who've been there. You'll hear from:
🔹 Hannah Sloggett (Nudge Community Builders), on breathing life into a street through community-led regeneration
🔹 Matthew Otridge, on raising £1m+ for grassroots music venues and leading The Exchange's community share offer (Music Venue Properties)
🔹 Steffi Joy, a specialist in building genuine, committed communities without relying on social media

Whether you're managing member churn, engaging non-local shareholders, or just want to get more from your governance structure, this session is for you.

👉 Sign up here: https://buff.ly/A8QTJjb and send us your questions in advance for the live Q&A.

17/09/2026

11/09/2026

This is a really good intro to community shares.

11/08/2026

Co-operatives UK has today announced plans for a new dedicated investment fund for community shares, working with Locality and Plunkett UK

More details here

https://www.thenews.coop/new-uk-fund-announced-to-grow-community-ownership/

11/08/2026

If you're a community business in the North of England or the Midlands, contact Key Fund to see how they can help. More info in their post below.

The Community Business Fund supports community businesses operating in the North and Midlands, looking to grow or develop trading activity. 🫂

The fund is focused on community asset development and will continue to support community businesses. To access this fund you will need to be an incorporated ‘not for private profit’ business with a clear geography of benefit and demonstrate local engagement.

With investment options of up to £250k, visit our funding page to explore the right fund option for you, here: https://thekeyfund.co.uk/funding/community-business-fund/

13/07/2026

Community businesses say funding and support must go further.

07/07/2026

Co-operative and Community Finance may be able to help you buy your community pub. See eg below.

With coming to an end, we'd like to share our most recent lending story with you 👀

We were delighted to provide a loan package from our ‘More Than a Pub’ investment pot towards The Yew Tree Avon Dassett!

Our Business Development Manager Tim says "Taking failing pubs into community ownership has proven to work and in Avon Dassett, a small village, with no other amenities it’s vital to retain the space for the community in the long term. We are so pleased to be able to support the fantastic committee at Avon Dassett CBS and partner in their success well into the future."

Read the full story here ➡️ https://buff.ly/fLbqAMq

03/07/2026

This might be helpful to get your local pub into community ownership.

More Than a Pub is finance that aims to support the development of community owned pubs across England. These pubs should be incorporated ‘not for profit’ businesses with clear geography of benefit and be able to demonstrate local engagement in ownership or governance. 🍺

With investment options between £5,000 and £100k, up to 15 years, 1-5 years, visit our funding page to explore the right fund option for you.
https://thekeyfund.co.uk/funding/more-than-a-pub/