Community business charity Plunkett UK is delighted to announce a new three-year strategic partnership with the country’s largest homebuilder, Barratt Redrow.
The partnership between the two organisations is founded on a shared ambition to ensure community is embedded at the heart of new housing developments through the creation of democratic, inclusive and sustainable businesses that are genuinely owned by local people.
The incorporation of Plunkett’s community business expertise into Barratt Redrow’s master planning and development process will help inform and shape the community infrastructure, as well as promote the potential of community-owned local assets and services at the homebuilder’s new and existing sites.
As a strategic partner, Plunkett UK will be available to participate in Barratt Redrow’s activities such as master planning and public meetings, and host local stakeholder focus groups and consultations as required.
Plunkett member, The Boundary Shop and Café in Hampshire, which opened in December 2022
A significant contribution
Plunkett is the only organisation dedicated to supporting rural community-owned businesses UK-wide. With over 100 years of history, today the charity represents over 850 trading businesses, that employ a total of about 3,500 staff and have around 25,000 volunteers.
These businesses contribute significantly to the UK economy, with 56p of every £1 spent with a community business staying in the local economy.
Community-owned businesses, such as those in Plunkett membership, have a survival rate of 99% over five years and 94% over 20 years, demonstrating their resilience.
An aligned vision
Harriet English, Deputy Chief Executive of Plunkett UK, said: “We are excited to begin this new partnership with Barratt Redrow, which is another milestone on our place-making journey that seeks to establish community businesses and assets within new-build developments.
“Barratt Redrow’s vision is aligned with our own – we both want to see resilient, thriving and inclusive communities.
“Plunkett has a proven track record in delivering better businesses for people, communities, the economy, and the environment, and we look forward to collaborating with Barratt Redrow in growing this work in future.”
Kingsbrook in Aylesbury is an award-winning, nature-first housing development by Barratt Redrow, created in partnership with the RSPB.
About Barratt Redrow:
Barratt Redrow is the UK’s most recommended homebuilder, making sustainable living a reality and building strong communities. Across its leading brands – Barratt Homes, Barratt London, David Wilson Homes and Redrow – it offers high-quality, energy-efficient homes for every stage of life across England, Scotland and Wales.
Barratt Redrow is the UK’s largest homebuilder and leading FTSE 100 business. It has been building homes and communities since 1968, supporting more than 40,000 jobs and contributing over £3.14bn to the UK economy each year.
“We build homes and communities, rather than just houses and developments. This is why we are partnering with Plunkett to strengthen and improve the communities we deliver even more.
“By bringing in new businesses to our communities we will help make them more resilient, creating new job opportunities and making great places for people to both work and live in.”
David Thomas, Chief Executive of Barratt Redrow
Plunkett’s Placemaking Strategy
With a 100-year proven track record in placemaking and creating resilient, thriving and inclusive communities, Plunkett is actively exploring partnerships of a similar nature with other leading house developers in other rural settings across the UK whose values and passion for community creation align with theirs.
