Co-op News Celebrates its 150th Anniversary

Tuesday 23 January 2024

UK-based Co-op News reached an important milestone this week, as it celebrates its 150^th anniversary. First published in Manchester in 1871 as The Co-operative News, the publication is the world’s oldest co-operatively owned newspaper.

Its long history can be traced back to 10 June 1871, when a meeting of society representatives and individual co-operators resolved that a Co-operative Newspaper Society be set up. The paper was an immediate success and circulation increased from 7,000 to 15,000 within 18 months.

Today Co-op News is based at Holyoake House, the building which also houses the Association of British Credit Unions Limited (ABCUL), Co-operatives UK, the Co-operative College and the Co-operative Heritage Trust.

In 2021, the co-operative has a growing number of organisational and individual members around the world. Last year, its website was visited by someone in every single country in the world (except three). In addition to publishing a print and digital magazine, Co-op News also provides a range of communication and design services to co-operative organisations, social enterprises and other for-purpose businesses.

Co-operative News has had just 15 managing editors in its 150-year existence including a father and son who held the post for 46 of the publication’s first 50 years – and two women, Lily Howe and current executive editor, Rebecca Harvey.

Ms Harvey says: “Celebrating 150 years of Co-op News is an incredible achievement for us. While the way in which we deliver stories may have changed from those early days, our ethos remains the same – Co-op News strives to be the number one source of information and analysis for co-operators in the UK and abroad. We will continue to connect co-operatives, champion their successes and challenge their misdemeanours in the years to come. Those wishing to support independent journalism about co-operatives in the UK and around the world can become members and help to shape our future.”

To celebrate its anniversary, Co-op News is offering a 15% discount to print and digital subscriptions to all those signing up as individual members during September 2021. Sign up at thenew.coop/join using the coupon code 15% off.