Reports and publications

Our information hub provides a diverse range of reports, publications and research from Plunkett and our partners, accessible to everyone from community businesses to policy makers. If you need any further information or data on the community business sector, please contact us

Community ownership: A Better form of Business

Our flagship state of the sector report for 2024 captures the headline trends for community-owned businesses, and reveals the scale of annual growth is at its highest since before the pandemic. Furthermore, despite facing significant challenges, the long-term survival rate of all community businesses remains remarkably high at 94%.

Download the Better Form of Business report 2024

2024 Impact Report

Throughout 2023, we witnessed the largest growth in the number of community-owned businesses since the pandemic, with 32 new entities opening. Plunkett UK’s 2024 Impact Report highlights the state of the sector and the added value of our support, with statistics and case studies from each of our five impact areas.

Community Ownership: A Way Forward for Wales

Research commissioned and funded by Building Communities Trust (BCT). The report evidences community needs and evaluates existing policies and legislation in Scotland and England, identifying strengths and weaknesses to provide lessons for future “community rights” in Wales.

Community businesses in the context of new housing developments

We’ve partnered with Thakeham to create a vision on building sustainable, thriving and inclusive rural communities where everyone is welcome. It makes the case for an honest conversation about how we can deliver new communities where everyone feels welcome.

Download the white paper, ‘Building sustainable, thriving, and inclusive rural communities where everyone is welcome’

Young People in Community Business. A legacy report from the #iwill programme

This report is the legacy of the #iwill project, funded by the Dulverton Trust in partnership with the #iwill Fund (a joint investment between The National Lottery Community Fund and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport), and delivered by the Plunkett Foundation from 2022 to 2023 – to help community businesses engage, involve and employ young people.

Download the Legacy report

“We need a Right to Buy, not to try”: How more urban communities can take ownership of their pub

Our research report, funded by Power To Change, identifies the challenges and opportunities facing urban community-owned pubs and how more communities can take ownership of their much-loved local pub to benefit all.