The Phone Co-op started out in 1998 as a way for non-profit organisations like charities and community groups to bulk-buy their telecommunications. The idea was that if these organisations came together as a buying club, they could make big savings. The idea took off and it wasn’t long before regular customers started wanting to share in the savings. So they expanded into residential phone services and the rest is history. Since then, they’ve been trading profitably and growing steadily. Although they’re not driven solely by money, they still aim to make a sustainable profit. The co-operative model is a tried and tested way of doing business that’s been working for people in this country for over 150 years.

The Phone Co-op is part of The Midcounties Co-operative, the largest independent co-operative in the UK.