Hear from our Policy Manager, Ian Young, who provides an overview of the key policy announcements affecting rural community businesses and how Plunkett is representing members' interests. Representing Rural Communities at the Labour Conference Autumn tends to be the busiest time of year for those of us in policy, [...]
Saved by the community, The Great Bromley Cross in Essex has become far more than a pub, offering vital services, tackling isolation and bringing people together. When the future of Great Bromley's only pub was under threat, local people knew they were to lose more than just a place to [...]
Our Communications Officer, Michael Wolverson, speaks with Jane Marsh from The Salusbury Arms in North Wales about the challenges facing pubs today and how community ownership is helping create stronger, more resilient rural communities. Rural communities across the UK are facing growing challenges. Rising costs, pressure on local services, social [...]
Plunkett UK has been awarded £20,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland to strengthen its support for community-owned shops across Scotland. The funding will help Plunkett provide more support to open and trading community shops, increasing retail knowledge and helping them remain resilient and viable at a challenging time for [...]
Creating better community businesses for the environment is a key ambition within Plunkett's new strategy. In this case study, discover how one award-winning community business is turning that ambition into action. Tackling climate change is one of the many ways community businesses create lasting impact in their communities. Across Plunkett's membership [...]
How changes at Down Ampney Village Shop and Café have increased footfall, brought local people together and put the business on a stronger, more sustainable footing. At the start of 2025, the community-owned shop in Down Ampney, Gloucestershire was at risk of closure, with falling footfall and ongoing losses. Fast-forward [...]
In the final edition of our impact series, we focus on how community-owned businesses promote equity, diversity and inclusion by creating welcoming spaces for all. “This pub is the heart of the village, physically and emotionally. This is a special place.” These words from Lou, a volunteer at The Maybush [...]
Plunkett UK is delighted to launch the Community-owned Business Buddy Scheme, a new initiative designed to connect community-owned shops, pubs and cafés with experienced co-operative retailers. Having launched on 16 September 2026, the Buddy Scheme will formally link community businesses with nearby co-operative retail managers, creating opportunities to share expertise, [...]
From recognising the resilience of community businesses to unveiling a new five-year strategy, this year's AGM looked ahead to the future of the movement. On Wednesday 9 September 2026, Plunkett UK held its Annual General Meeting with around 70 members and representatives from across the community business sector attending. As [...]
In the penultimate edition of our Impact Report series, we focus on how community businesses create opportunities for employment, training and volunteering. When a rural business closes, the impact reaches far beyond the loss of a local shop, pub or café. As our Impact Report series has highlighted, community businesses provide [...]
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