This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re celebrating how community-owned hospitality businesses offer so much more than food and drink. They are lifelines: safe, welcoming spaces where people connect, share, and feel less alone. In many rural communities, connection depends on shared spaces - but what happens when those spaces disappear? [...]
Meet the judges! Meet our panel of judges who will carefully consider the nominations for the 2026 Rural Community Business Awards On Thursday 14 May, our judges will come together to consider the shortlisted entries and select the finalists, who will be revealed at the start [...]
As rising costs and the loss of local services continue to challenge rural and island Scotland, communities are finding practical ways to protect the places that matter most. Plunkett UK has secured a further year of funding from the Scottish Government’s Scottish Rural Network, enabling us to continue supporting rural [...]
Co-operatives supporting co-operatives really can be a powerful thing. Gemma Sills, Head of Partnerships, reflects on attending the 2026 Co-op Retail Conference, hosted by Co-operatives UK, and held in Glasgow from 19-21 March. This was my first time at the Co-op Retail Conference, and I was blown away by the [...]
Discover Leah’s story, showing how working in her local community-owned pub helped her build confidence and gain valuable experience. “Since I started working at The Plough Inn in March 2023, my confidence has grown in ways I never expected. I’m in my early twenties and at a stage in life [...]
This is the story of Semley Village Stores, who show how a rural community shop can become a powerhouse of teamwork, youth development and local impact. You can dance; you can jive…where team spirit shines You may spot the cheeky ABBA nod, but there’s a good reason for it. [...]
Plunkett UK and local campaigners in Cornwall called on the government to provide even stronger support for rural communities during an event at The Eden Project today. Speaking at Anthropy 2026’s session, “How to build happier, healthier and wealthier places”, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP – Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry [...]
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Rural Community Business Awards, sponsored by Lands Improvement, celebrating the best of our community business members across the country. One of the year's most anticipated events for Plunkett UK is back! This year’s Rural Community Business Awards will take place on Thursday [...]
Gordon Hector, a Trustee of Plunkett UK, gave evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Rural Business and the Rural Powerhouse on Tuesday for their inquiry: ‘How does rural fit into the devolution agenda?’ Rural communities risk being overlooked under devolution if new authorities prioritise urban areas. Many lack [...]
Climate change is here - how prepared is your community business? Our Impact Officer, George Ogier, shares insights from our latest environment special interest group with Verture on building climate resilience In January 2025, thanks to a partnership with the Dulverton Trust, Plunkett UK began delivering a series of special [...]
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