Thirty-four new community-owned businesses opened in 2025, taking the sector to 869 trading businesses across the UK, according to Plunkett UK's latest Impact Report, launched at The Shard in London yesterday (10 June). Community ownership continues to gather momentum across the UK, with 34 new community-owned businesses opening during 2025 despite [...]
This is the story of Bathford Village Shop and Café, a place at the centre of the community, providing connection, support and essential services for over two decades. In May, the people of Bathford came together to celebrate a significant milestone: 20 years of their village shop and café in [...]
Community-owned pubs, cafés and restaurants are a proven part of the solution to rising youth unemployment, particularly in rural areas where opportunities are most limited. The call comes as national coverage today highlights growing concern over young people’s access to work. The latest Office for National Statistics figures show nearly [...]
Read how the community in Stoke Goldington has been held back by current legislation in its efforts to secure The Lamb – and why the new Community Right to Buy offers new hope The Lamb in Stoke Goldington, Buckinghamshire is a typical local pub in a predominantly rural village. It [...]
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. [...]
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