History of the UK Co‑operative Movement

Co‑operative Information

Co‑operation has always existed in the UK, and no-one can say with any accuracy what the first co‑operative society was - although many strong claims exist, from The Shore Porters' Society established in Aberdeen in 1498, to the Fenwick Weavers Society in March 1761 or the Hull Anti-Mill in 1795.

The blueprint for modern co‑operation was laid down by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in 1844: inspired by the New Lanark co‑operative started by Robert Owen, they wrote The Rochdale Principles - the ethical basis for every successful co‑operative in the UK (and have since been adapted as the ICA's Co‑operative Principles).

The history of the early movement was documented by George Jacob Holyoake, including the start of an annual Co‑operative Congress where the Movement made its major decisions, from the creation of the Co‑operative Central Board (which became Co‑operatives UK) to the creation of the International Co‑operative Alliance (ICA) in 1895.

The Movement's fortunes changed in the 1970s: challenged by a new breed of supermarkets, the consumer societies were slow to respond whilst the 1980s saw the Conservative government withdraw its support of the co‑operative ideal. However, the Movement is enjoying an upswing, with the main political parties recognising the benefits of co‑operation and societies of all kinds succeeding and thriving everywhere.

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