Plunkett UK welcomes the Government's continued commitment to a nationwide Post Office network and recognises the vital role that Post Offices play in sustaining rural communities. The decision to retain the current geographical access criteria and the minimum requirement of 11,500 branches is particularly encouraging. Rural communities rely on local [...]
The outstanding achievements of our rural community business members and the individuals that make them shine were recognised at the 2026 Rural Community Business Awards last week. From creating places where people belong to protecting vital local services and tackling loneliness, the finalists showcased the many ways community ownership [...]
As national attention focuses on the social value of Britain's pubs and hospitality businesses, we are calling for greater support for the rural communities fighting to save the businesses that sit at the heart of village life. Recent analysis by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) suggests a further [...]
Co-operatives supporting co-operatives is the message at the heart of this year’s Co-op Fortnight celebrations for the Co-operative Retail Society Network (CRSN), a partnership helping to strengthen and grow community-owned businesses across the UK. Led by Plunkett UK, the CRSN was established in 2022 with the aim of growing the [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Plunkett UK and local campaigners in Cornwall called on the government to provide even stronger support for rural communities during an event at The Eden Project today. Speaking at Anthropy 2026’s session, “How to build happier, healthier and wealthier places”, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP – Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry [...]
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Rural Community Business Awards, sponsored by Lands Improvement, celebrating the best of our community business members across the country. One of the year's most anticipated events for Plunkett UK is back! This year’s Rural Community Business Awards will take place on Thursday [...]
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