About Co-operatives East Midlands

Co-operatives compete successfully in the business world. They engage in a wide range of business activities from retailing to agriculture, finance to social care, housing, sport and technology.

Consumer Co-operatives

There are three large consumer co-operatives operating in the region (Midlands Co-operative, Lincolnshire Co-operative, and the central & eastern region of the Co-operative Group). Customers have the opportunity, through membership, to play an active role and have a stake in the business.

Production and Service Businesses

These include the Co-operative Bank and CIS, Long Clawson Dairy and Queen Eleanor Workwear. Worker co-operatives also thrive in media and creative industries in the region.

Farming is big in the East Midlands and co-operatives play a significant role in this sector. The Co-operative Group is the second largest farmer in the UK with operations based in Stoughton near Leicester. Dairy Farmers of Britain provides processing and distribution services to its farmer members.

Housing co-operatives provide affordable housing to their members. Community co-operatives bring people together to improve their local area.

Co-operatives^EM

Co-operatives East Midlands brings people and organisations together to promote, develop and support co-operative enterprise in the East Midlands region.

The Co-operative Advantage

• Combined social goals and business success.
• Rooted in the communities they serve.
• Participation of members in running the business.
• Responsive and accountable.