The outstanding achievements of our rural community business members and the individuals that make them shine were recognised last night (Thursday 3 July).

Nine community businesses or individuals were winners at the 2025 Rural Community Business Awards, sponsored by Lands Improvement and held at the Royal Society of Chemistry in London.

The event shone a spotlight on the wide-ranging impact being made by community businesses in safeguarding access to a wide range of goods and services, boosting the local economy, creating employment, training and volunteering opportunities, tackling climate change, and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion by creating safe and welcoming spaces for everyone.

The winners in each category were as follows:

  • Connecting the Community Award, sponsored by Utility Aid – The Rising Sun, Woodcroft in Gloucestershire, which draws 50 older people to its monthly 4Cs coffee morning, organises litter picks, has a community art wall for local artists, and hosts spaces for workers and local groups to meet.

  • Going Green Award, sponsored by Suma – The Locks Inn, Geldeston in Norfolk, which is on a journey to net-zero carbon emission, having so far installed 86 solar panels and set up a cold room meaning no fridges are on site. Despite its very remote location, the community pub has recently installed a 1km pipe to access the mains sewerage.

  • Keeping it Local Award, sponsored by Co-op – Bishop Wilton Community Shop & Café, Yorkshire, which uses local businesses, products and suppliers wherever possible, including supporting a mother in the village to sell her own specialty breads in the shop, and she has now expanded her business.

  • The ‘More Than’ Award, sponsored by Good Finance – Titchmarsh Village Shop, Northamptonshire, which organises several community-focused activities include fetes, open days, theatre lunches, bacon bap mornings, and charity fashion shows. These events have nurtured strong village ties and fostered lasting relationships.

  • Investing in Local People Award, sponsored by David Cadwallader and Co – Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum, Highlands, whose community wealth-building model engages 100 local businesses to meet visitor needs. It supports local artists and craftspeople, and offers a pay-what-you-can cafe to help those struggling with the cost of living.

  • The One to Watch Award, sponsored by Wise Investment – The George Community Pub, Wickham Market in Suffolk, which has raised around £2.5m to restore and rebuild the 16th Century Grade II-listed pub, enlisting over 50 volunteers’ support. When open, the first floor will become an activity space, to help with issues such as social isolation and mental health.

  • Young Person Award, sponsored by Bestway Wholesale – Archie Kitcher, East Boldre Community Stores in Hampshire, a 16-year-old who is active in all parts of life at the shop including sandwich-making, shelf-stocking and deep cleans. Last year, he organised the village’s first-ever Christmas show, which raised over £1,000 to benefit the local hospice.

  • Community Contribution Award – Celia Collett, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Community Village Stores in Oxfordshire, who maintains the rota for over 40 volunteers, addressing individual needs, giving them appropriate jobs and encourages team belonging. She chairs the management committee and supports local suppliers to sell products in the shop.

The Nina Foskett Award for Team Spirit – kindly supported by The Sky Wave Distilling Company

This final award is a special one, in memory of a former Plunkett staff member, Nina, who was a shining example of teamwork and encouragement, always ready to lend a hand and support others.

Our winners were Semley Village Stores, Wiltshire, which is busy, chatty and fun hub of energy – and the focal point of the village. The shop has nearly 30 volunteers plus a fabulous team of paid young people. Its loyal customer base is from surrounding villages and further afield.

Semley Village Stores with their award

This year, over 60 people nominated their community business and individual champions for the nine award categories. Three businesses or individuals were shortlisted by judges as finalists in each category, and representatives attended the ceremony in London, along with Plunkett staff, category sponsors and others from the sector.

Sarah Benn, Plunkett UK’s Membership Manager, says:

“It has been a great joy to recognise and celebrate all the finalists at this Rural Community Business Awards. Each one is truly dedicated to making a difference in their community and having a considerable impact on the lives of local people in a variety of different ways. Well done to all this year’s winners – their award is very much deserved!”

Thank you to our sponsors of this year’s Rural Community Business Awards

Join the movement: Become a member today

This year we really enjoyed celebrating the achievements of our members! So why not join over 700 individuals, community businesses and corporate partners and become a member of Plunkett UK? Your membership, which for individuals’ costs just £22.50 per year, will support our ambition to grow the community ownership movement across the nation.

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