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 [...]
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. [...]
Elisabeth Rochford explains Diageo’s partnership with Plunkett to help communities safeguard local hospitality It was a real pleasure for Diageo to have sponsored Plunkett UK’s hospitality roundtable in October last year, and to continue to partner with them in their vital work. We believe in the value of hospitality, community, [...]
Alex Begg, a Trustee at Plunkett UK, reflects on the demise of the multinational brewery and pub chain – and explains why genuine community ownership matters more than ever. It has been a sobering week for many long-standing supporters of BrewDog. The once-celebrated “Equity for Punks” campaign, which raised more [...]
Plunkett UK's Community Business Adviser, Nick Comley, explains how early stage community groups can most safely and easily handle money when funds arrive before a bank account does. You want to set up a rural community-owned business. You have the support from your community, the premises lined up and the [...]
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 [...]
The growing impact of community-owned businesses in protecting local services Across the UK we are seeing an increase in the closure of public services, leaving residents – especially older people and those with disabilities – without places that are vital to daily life. When these spaces disappear, so does access [...]
In his final edition of his Scottish Comms tour, Communications Officer, Michael Wolverson, tells the story of the award-winning Kenmuir Arms. “This pub has brought the village back to life.” These words of Nigel, former Chair of the New Luce Trust, stayed with me as he described the profound impact [...]
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