Business advice

We provide practical advice, business support and training to help communities establish and run innovative and inclusive community businesses that make a positive impact for local people.

Community businesses are owned and controlled by community members, with membership open to anyone at accessible prices, and all members have an equal and democratic say in how the business is run.

We support community businesses across the UK, providing business advice to all types of community business, at all stages of their journey – from the initial idea to long after the business is open and trading.

Plunkett can help your group become investment-ready – building the plans, evidence and confidence needed to bring local assets into community ownership. When funding opportunities arise, you’ll be ready to move quickly and put forward the strongest possible application.

Get in touch for:

  • Friendly advice from our experienced frontline team, Monday to Friday on 01993 630022 – available to anyone

We can help you with:

  • Choosing the right legal structure, governance and Model Rules registration

  • Assessing your project, planning your next steps and developing your business plan

  • Community engagement and marketing support

  • Support with Community Share Offers

  • Learning, training and networking events

  • Practical resources and templates

  • Ongoing support as a Plunkett Community Business Member, including a free annual business health check
Support is available free of charge in most cases, although some services are available only through Plunkett membership or our consultancy offering.

Plunkett has a UK-wide network of expert advisers

This enables us to create bespoke business support packages for each community-owned business. The team are industry experts – some have worked for decades in the sector delivering business support, others have direct community business experience having formed or run their local community business; several have both of these attributes.