Blogs

Rising together: how a community built a thriving business from scratch

2026-08-07T11:03:56+00:00

This is the story of Dunbar Community Bakery; one of the first community businesses to be established by residents via a community share offer. Situated on the East Lothian coast, Dunbar Community Bakery is a thriving community owned business with over 1,000 shareholders and a population of around 10,000 to serve. [...]

Rising together: how a community built a thriving business from scratch2026-08-07T11:03:56+00:00

Investing in local people to build a better future

2025-12-05T11:50:50+00:00

How did a small village in south Wales turn adversity into achievement? Dr Rosie Plummer shares the people-powered journey behind Dryslwyn's community-owned shop, and their exciting next chapter. One of the most critical lessons for successful community ventures is that everything about them thrives solely because of the people they [...]

Investing in local people to build a better future2025-12-05T11:50:50+00:00

From Local Roots to Royal Recognition

2025-11-25T15:39:02+00:00

This is the story of Huby & Sutton Community Shop; a volunteer-run hub at the heart of its village, now honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. “We think about how we can keep it local in everything we do.” Finalists at the 2024 Rural Community Business Awards These [...]

From Local Roots to Royal Recognition2025-11-25T15:39:02+00:00

Connecting the Community at the Heart of Woodcroft

2025-11-18T16:06:57+00:00

This is the story of The Rising Sun, an award-winning pub that has become a vital hub for the community of Woodcroft, Gloucestershire. When the village faced the closure of its only facility, the community fought to save it. With support from Plunkett UK, the community reopened their cherished pub in [...]

Connecting the Community at the Heart of Woodcroft2025-11-18T16:06:57+00:00

Investing in Local People in Gairloch and Loch Ewe

2025-10-21T14:44:22+00:00

This is the story of GALE’s award-winning approach to inclusive volunteering and year-round community impact The Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum (GALE) is a community-owned Development Trust based in mid-Wester Ross, serving the village of Gairloch and its surrounding areas. GALE’s mission is to build “a sustainable, resilient, and vibrant [...]

Investing in Local People in Gairloch and Loch Ewe2025-10-21T14:44:22+00:00

Places that genuinely care for people

2025-10-15T09:56:39+00:00

From serving free coffee every Tuesday to improving the mental health of volunteers, James from Co-operatives UK and Andrew from Plunkett made a joint visit to find out how community-owned businesses go above and beyond to truly meet the needs of local people. We were pleased to welcome James Dady, [...]

Places that genuinely care for people2025-10-15T09:56:39+00:00

Three Decades of Community Ownership at Itteringham Community Shop

2025-10-03T14:50:45+00:00

In this case study, Michael Wolverson, Communications Officer, speaks with committee member Mike Hemsley, who shares insights into Itteringham’s 30-year journey of having a community-owned shop. Could you share the story of how the community came together to establish the community shop 30 years ago? In 1994, Brian Fairhead, [...]

Three Decades of Community Ownership at Itteringham Community Shop2025-10-03T14:50:45+00:00

The transformative power of co-operation

2025-09-30T13:14:21+00:00

Sophie Ziegler-Jones explains why partnering with Plunkett and supporting community-owned businesses is a natural fit for the co-operative wholesaler Suma, and describes how she was moved by our 2025 Awards. Back in July, I had the privilege of attending Plunkett UK’s Rural Community Business Awards, held at the Royal Society [...]

The transformative power of co-operation2025-09-30T13:14:21+00:00
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