Current programmes

Plunkett has been working with the Scottish Government’s Scottish Rural Network Unit over the last four years to deliver business advice to communities in Scotland looking to bring their local pub into community ownership, as well as to support those already trading.

 Through the programme, we have continued to deliver the Scottish Community Pubs Network, which provides peer-learning and networking opportunities for community-owned pubs across Scotland.

In 2025-26, the Scottish Rural Network is continuing to fund Plunkett’s ongoing delivery of community business adviser support to Scottish groups involved in community-owned businesses in Scotland. We are always at the end of a phone or an email, so please stay in touch.

With funding from the Dulverton Trust, Plunkett is working to ensure our support service is adequately tailored to meet the needs of communities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and to ensure we’re breaking down the barriers to accessing our support – for example, by delivering more of our services in the Welsh language.

In addition, funded advice and support is available to all types of community-owned business across the UK, to help rural communities to create innovative, inclusive spaces that make a real impact in their local community.