The winners of the UK Social Enterprise Awards 2026 were announced at New Century Hall in Manchester on 12 November, at an event delivered in partnership between Social Enterprise UK and Co-operatives UK.
Social Enterprises are commercial businesses with a social or environmental mission, while co-operatives are owned, controlled, and run by their members. The two categories often overlap, and the 2026 awards recognised this through “a celebration of the spirit of unity, co-operation and community that is at the heart of the social enterprise movement,” said the organisers. “Every one of this year’s winners shows that another way of doing business is not only possible, it’s already happening.”
The evening, which took the theme ‘All Together Now’, saw Unicorn Grocery win the Consumer Facing Social Enterprise of the Year category, while farmer-owned Fram Farmers received the Co-op of the Year award – a new category for 2026, sponsored by the Co-op Group.
Based in Chorlton, South Manchester, worker-owned Unicorn celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. Serving around 6,500 customers each week, it offers affordable, wholesome food with an emphasis on organic, fair-trade and local produce, while aiming to cultivate stronger connections between food, its producers and consumers while supporting growers, co-operatives and projects working towards food justice.
Founded in 1980, Fram Farmers is a co-operative owned by more than 1,400 British farming businesses, which secures competitive prices on seed, fertiliser, fuel, marketing and grain, helping farmer members reduce costs and strengthen resilience. It has recently invested in digital technology and launched its own livestock veterinary practice, while supporting sustainable farming and rural communities.
Channel Islands Co-op, the consumer co-operative serving members across Jersey and Guernsey, was highly commended in the Co-op of the Year category, while Community Dental Services was highly commended in the Public Services Social Enterprise of the Year category.
The Environmental Social Enterprise of the Year category was sponsored by OurCoop
Rose Marley, CEO, Co-operatives UK, said: “Bringing these awards to Greater Manchester, where the Rochdale Pioneers founded the co-operative movement, felt like a homecoming. Whether owned by their members, like Fram Farmers and Unicorn Grocery, or driven by a social mission, this year’s winners put purpose before shareholder profit. Co-operatives and social enterprises are the good growth: growth that benefits people and the communities around them.”
Peter Holbrook CBE, CEO of Social Enterprise UK, said: “At a time of economic uncertainty, inequality, climate challenge and increasing social polarisation, this year’s finalists offer something powerful: practical reasons for hope.
“They are creating good jobs, sharing ownership and opportunity, keeping wealth rooted locally and proving that commercial success driven by a social purpose can strengthen communities the length and breadth of the UK.”
For the full list of winners, visit socialenterprise.org.uk
