Blogs

Hear from our new Policy Manager, Ian Young, who shares his perspective on the barriers facing rural community businesses - and the opportunities to overcome them. I have recently joined Plunkett UK as the new Policy Manager, and I’m hoping to be able to make a positive contribution to the [...]

During Great Big Green Week (6-14 June), we’re celebrating how Plunkett and community businesses are driving and inspiring environmental impact. This year’s theme focuses on the power of people coming together to do good for the environment - recognising the collective efforts that make neighbourhoods better places to live, protect [...]

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? [...]

Sophie Ziegler-Jones from Suma reflects on the power of co-operation and partnership after a day spent with Plunkett UK and the community-owned shops we support. In early March, Nigel Kaye and I headed over to spend some time with the team at Plunkett UK – and, more importantly, to get [...]

Community-owned pubs, cafés and restaurants do more than serve food and drink. At a time when young people face growing barriers to work – particularly in rural areas – they are helping build skills, confidence and connections close to home. Hands up if your first job was in hospitality. For [...]

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 [...]