Rural Community Business Awards 2026

We’re getting excited: Plunkett’s annual Rural Community Business Awards returns for another year!

We’re celebrating the outstanding achievements of our community business members, and the dedicated and inspiring individuals behind their success.

The 2026 Rural Community Business Awards, sponsored by Lands Improvement, take place on Thursday 2 July at the Royal Society of Chemistry in London.

Nominate your community business or a local community champion

We invite you to nominate your community-owned business and the outstanding individuals involved, for one of this year’s nine award categories. Please read our Nomination Guide and FAQ Handbook before you submit your nominations, to check the eligibility criteria and to get our top tips for success.

This category recognises community businesses that are going the extra mile to create safe and welcoming spaces for everyone.

This category celebrates community businesses that are striving to invest in local people through the creation of employment, training and volunteering opportunities.

This category celebrates community businesses who are going further to make their business and community ‘green’ through the introduction of environmentally friendly initiatives.

Sponsored by:

This category recognises how community businesses support their local economy through the provision of and utilising local supply and services.

Sponsored by:

This category celebrates the community groups that are not yet open and trading but are on the way to creating something incredibly special.

This category celebrates community groups that embody a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration, and encouragement for one another.

This category recognises longevity and wide-ranging impact of community businesses that have been trading for at least 5 years.

This category recognises the outstanding efforts of the individuals who are going above and beyond for their community business. Perhaps through the business, they’re going the extra mile for vulnerable residents or they’re a constant source of support in keeping the business going? Or maybe they’re making a difference by creating initiatives to bring the community together?

This category acknowledges the young people aged 15 to 25 who are helping to make a difference in their community-owned business. Is their enthusiasm infectious? Do they always step up in times of need or strive to share their skills in order to enhance the business?

Nominations are open from Thursday 12 March and will close at midnight on Monday 27 April.

Read our Nomination Guide and FAQ Handbook before you submit your nominations, to check eligibility and to get our top tips for success.

Please note that all nominees must be a rurally-based community business member of Plunkett UK or an individual involved with a member business. If you’d like to join or upgrade your current membership, please contact membership@plunkett.co.uk.

Hear more about last year’s Awards from four of our winners:

Titchmarsh Village Shop – winners of The More Than Award

The Rising Sun, Woodcroft – winners of the Connecting the Community Award

Celia Collett – winner of the Community Contribution Award

Bishop Wilton Shop – winner of the Keeping it Local Award