Places That Put People First

Over a delicious lunch, we had a really good chat with a committee member about the realities of running a place like this. Not just the wins, but the balancing act too – keeping things financially sustainable, managing growth and developments, while staying true to the community focus.

In the afternoon, we made our way to Ilmington Community Shop and Café which has its own unique character (set in a beautifully repurposed church building that definitely adds to the charm). Another great conversation with the committee there brought up a lot of the same themes: how much these places rely on local support, how decisions are shaped by the people who use them, and how much care goes into keeping them going.

Nigel and Sophie meet a couple of the team at Bledington

Spending time in both shops really brought home just how important community-owned businesses are – especially in rural areas.

They’re not just somewhere to pick up milk or a loaf of bread. They’re places where people bump into each other, have a chat, feel connected. Bledington has a ‘community cupboard’ on the outside of the shop for those who find themselves in need. In areas where other services have disappeared, they help fill a real gap – not just practically, but socially too.

They’re environmentally conscious, as we saw at Ilmington who last year installed solar panels (partly-funded by a council grant) and more efficient chillers – such additions create financial savings too.

And because they’re community-owned, the benefits stay local. Jobs, training and skill development, investment, decision-making – it all happens with the community in mind.

What stood out across both visits was how much these businesses are shaped by co-operation.

It’s not about one person calling the shots – it’s about people coming together, sharing responsibility, and figuring things out collectively. That brings its challenges, of course, but it also builds resilience. These businesses can adapt because they’re so closely connected to the people they serve.

For us at Suma, that really resonates. As a worker co-operative, we’re built on similar principles of shared ownership, equal say, and a focus on long-term relationships over short-term wins. It’s not about making the comparison the headline, but there’s definitely a shared understanding there.

Ilmington Café offers coffee, cake and community!

Sophie and Nigel from Suma, and Plunkett’s Gemma Sills, hear stories of the community in action at Ilmington

More than anything, what stuck with us from the day was the people.

The volunteers giving their time. (At Ilmington there are 50 volunteers of all ages who regularly get involved!) The committee members juggling responsibilities. The regulars who clearly see the shop as part of their routine – not just for shopping, but for connection.

At Bledington, we heard about the young person whose confidence had been boosted by volunteering as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award.

These places create a sense of belonging that’s hard to measure but easy to feel when you’re there. They’re built on care, effort, and a genuine investment in the community.

Days like this are a good reminder of why these businesses matter and why it’s worth making more noise about them.

For Suma, working with independent and rural retailers has always been part of what we do. Visiting places like Bledington and Ilmington just reinforces that – and reminds us that when business is genuinely people-led, it works better for everyone.

And honestly, it was just a really nice way to spend a day too! Thanks for having us.

If you don’t know Suma already, we’re a little bit different. We’ve been stocking kitchens with delicious and responsibly sourced vegetarian and vegan ingredients since 1977. We sell over 1,000 own brand products, all of them ethical, organic, and sustainable, and many are fair-trade and free-from.

That’s pretty cool. But what’s incredible is we’re a worker-owned co-op where everyone runs the business. There are no bosses or shareholders. The 200-plus members of Suma set the direction of our business regardless of their role. Everyone – and I mean everyone – gets paid exactly the same wage.