Welcome to Co-operatives East
Co-operatives East is the voice of the co-operative movement in the East of England.
As one of twelve Regional Co-operative Councils in the UK, we work in partnership with Co-operatives UK, the national apex body for the co-operative sector.
Did you know:
- There are more than 200 co-operatives in the East of England?
- They employ over 15,500 people?
- And have a combined annual turnover of over £2billion?
Co-operatives range in size from the smallest food buying circle to multi-million pound agricultural businesses. As well as the familiar consumer co-ops like the Co-operative shops and the Co-operative Bank, there are plenty of others: worker co-ops, housing co-ops, credit unions, community enterprises, energy co-ops and marketing co-ops, for example. What all these diverse enterprises have in common is a shared set of values and principles (see About Co-operatives).
If you are involved with a co-operative enterprise in the East of England then we are here for you.
It is our mission to:
- Represent your co-op to decision makers and opinion formers
- Promote co-operative values and principles
- Organise events and provide services that are relevant and useful to our members
The more members we have the louder our voice. Membership is free, so why not join us?
Co-operatives East does not deliver co-operative development services, but we work in close partnership with the Co-operative Gateway East of England - a consortium of Co-operative Development Bodies that operate in the region. If you are looking for training, consultancy or business advice for a co-operative or social enterprise, click on their logo to visit their website:
If you are looking for free advice or training for a co-operative, existing or new start, you may be eligible for up to four days of free support from the Co-operative Enterprise hub. Click on their logo to see their website for details:
Co-operative enterprise hub 
Co-operatives East is supported by the Co-operative Enterprise hub.
Forthcoming Events
Thursday 13 October
Principle 7: Concern for the Community
Annual General Meeting and Networking Opportunity
Speakers include:
Keith Grinsted, Chelmsford Star: Co-operative Streets,
Sally Reith, Shared Interest: A Co-operative Approach to a Fairer World,
Sabina Couch, Co-operative Group: Concern for Community: Global to Local
Venue:
Corporate Training Centre, Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society
16 Main Road, Danbury, nr Chelmsford, CM3 4NQ
12:30 lunch, 13:15 start.
For full details of this free event, please download the flyer here.
To book your place, please download the booking form here.

