Setting up, structuring & change
Mutual societies & co‑operatives
Some of the most rooted organisations in the cultural world are owned by the communities they serve. If you want to build something member-owned, a co-operative or a community benefit society may be the right shape, and we can help you set it up.
Who this is for
Communities buying or running a local asset such as a theatre, cinema, pub or arts space; groups that want their members to own and steer the organisation; and ventures planning a community share offer.
If mutual ownership is part of your vision, we can help make it real.
At a glance
- Co-operative or community benefit society: the right choice for you
- Rules drafted around how you want to make decisions
- Registration with the Financial Conduct Authority
- Support with community share offers
How we help
We explain the difference between a co-operative society and a community benefit society, and what each means for ownership, voting and the use of profits. If a society is not the right answer, we compare it fairly against a CIC or a charity first.
We draft the society’s rules and register it with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which registers mutual societies across the UK. If you plan to raise money through community shares, we help you structure the offer and get the documents right.
Talk to us
Not sure where to start? Book an online appointment and we will point you to the right help.
Email hello@proartsplus.co.uk or call 0330 127 1414 during office hours.
How it works
- A conversation
We talk about what you want to own and run together. - The structure
We agree whether a co-operative or a community benefit society fits. - Your rules
We draft them around how you want to make decisions. - Registration
We handle the FCA application for you.
If community shares are involved, we work alongside your fundraising plans so the legal side and the offer fit together.
Why ProArtsPlus
Mutuals are a specialist corner, and many advisers steer people away from them because they are less familiar. We are comfortable here, and we will tell you plainly whether a society suits your project or whether a simpler structure would serve you better.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a co-operative and a community benefit society?
A co-operative is run for the mutual benefit of its members. A community benefit society is run for the benefit of the wider community, which often suits a group raising community shares to save a local asset. We help you pick the right one.
How many members do we need?
At least three, unless the members are themselves registered societies, in which case two is enough.
Who registers mutual societies?
The Financial Conduct Authority is the registering authority for mutual societies across the UK. We deal with the FCA on your behalf.
Is a society better than a CIC for a community asset?
Sometimes. A society gives its members a direct say in how the asset is run, which many community projects want, while a CIC can be simpler to set up. We compare the options for your project rather than assume.
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Not sure where to start?
Tell us what you are dealing with and we will point you to the right help.