The Society for the Study of Labour History has created a guide to sources for co-operative history in the UK. Compiled by the Society’s Archives and Resources Committee, the guide includes information on the major archives and their holdings on this topic. First published December 2025.

The guide aims to help researchers find material relating to the co-operative movement across UK archives and museums. It is not an exhaustive survey of resources for co-operative history but an overview of key collections held at institutions that are members of SSLH ARC. Because most co-operative societies have close links with their local communities, it is possible to find records of some co-operative societies in local authority archives. Researchers should also check The National Archives Discovery catalogue for locating archives held at other repositories.

Download the guide in PDF format.

Find out more about the SSLH-Archives and Resources Committee.