Rural Community Business Awards 2026

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Congratulations to our winner:

The Great Bromley Cross (Essex) 

For the past 20 years, The Great Bromley Cross has supported social connection across a rural village spread over three miles. It is run with a clear social purpose: to provide a welcoming, affordable and reliable place where people can meet, connect and support one another.

The pub offers a regular programme of activities reflecting local needs, including a weekly coffee morning, Friendship Club, craft club, live music, darts and cribbage teams, bingo and seasonal events. Young Farmers meetings are also hosted, strengthening intergenerational links in a farming community that can otherwise be isolated.

Its approach combines social activity with access to essential services. The weekly coffee morning attracts 50-60 residents, many of whom are older or living alone, and includes an outreach library, Post Office and monthly benefits advice drop-in. These services reduce the need to travel to the nearest town, particularly for those with limited mobility.

Community voices shape the pub’s activity through regular feedback, an open-door approach and ongoing local communication, ensuring it remains inclusive and community led.

Well done to our runners-up community businesses:

• Earlams Community Store & Café, Styal (Cheshire)
• The Radnor Arms (Powys)

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Congratulations to our winner:

Smarden Community Store (Kent)

Smarden Community Store has embedded environmental responsibility across all aspects of its operations. The store runs a solar panel installation that has generated over 60,000 kWh of renewable electricity, supported by Tesla Powerwall batteries to store surplus energy and maximise the use of clean power.

Alongside this, a range of practical initiatives are part of day-to-day operations, including recycling points for batteries and vapes, milk and beer bottle return schemes, and the reuse of egg boxes and cardboard packaging. Used coffee grounds are offered to local gardeners, plant pots are returned to suppliers, and only eco-friendly cleaning products are used. Two fast EV charging points are also available for the local community.

These initiatives deliver measurable impact, reducing carbon emissions and waste while supporting more sustainable choices. Customers can take part easily as part of their normal shopping, helping to make environmentally responsible behaviour accessible to the whole community.

Well done to our runners-up community businesses:

• The Burrow, Exbourne (Devon)
• Woodgreen Community Shop & Post Office (Hampshire)

Congratulations to our winner:

The Auctioneers Arms, Caverswall (Staffordshire)

The Auctioneers Arms has developed a strong focus on supporting local people by creating opportunities for those who may face barriers to employment. Early on, the pub recognised this need, with parents asking about opportunities for their children to build confidence and gain experience.

The pub has employed a neurodiverse team member, providing tailored support including a dedicated quiet space developed with their keyworker. While not a legal requirement, this demonstrates a clear commitment to supporting staff. The team member is now an active part of both the workplace and wider team activities.

The pub also provides opportunities that would not otherwise exist. Deputy Manager Tilly began in the pot wash while experiencing serious anxiety that affected her ability to attend school. With support from the team, she gradually built confidence, expanded her responsibilities and achieved qualifications in hospitality supervision. She has also spoken at Plunkett UK’s national conference, attended Anthropy UK and was awarded the Young Person prize at the Plunkett Rural Community Business Awards.

Well done to our runners-up community businesses:

• The George, Wickham Market (Suffolk)
• Stokeinteignhead Community Shop (Devon)

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Congratulations to our winner:

Trawden Forest Community Shop (Lancashire)

Trawden Forest Community Shop was established eight years ago by the community following the closure of the village’s last shop and Post Office. Run by around 90 volunteers, it serves a rural population of approximately 2,000 residents, combining a retail offer with a strong focus on supporting the local economy.

The shop works with over 20 local suppliers, providing reliable income streams and helping sustain nearby businesses, while also supporting smaller producers and individuals selling handmade goods. A focus on sustainability includes refill options, additional recycling facilities and milk sold in returnable glass bottles.

Alongside its retail role, the shop acts as a community hub and offers inclusive volunteering opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Volunteers with additional needs are supported, including a wheelchair user contributing to food preparation, and an 82-year-old volunteer who makes fabric bags sold in the shop. Regular Duke of Edinburgh and work experience placements also help young people build skills, confidence and a sense of belonging.

Well done to our runners-up community businesses: 

• Cheriton Fitzpaine Community Shop (Devon)
• Glenuig Community Inn (Highlands)

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Congratulations to our winner:

The King’s Arms, Ballantrae (South Ayrshire)

The King’s Arms is a volunteer-run community pub, supported by a team of over 40 people working together to maintain it as a vital hub in a rural and isolated area. Today, every aspect of the pub’s operation is delivered by volunteers, all united by a shared goal: to keep the hub open. With limited local services, no train links and only one bus route, the pub plays an essential role in community life.

Volunteers have expanded the offer to include a Sunday food service, alongside a fortnightly lunch club providing a two-course meal for £5 and attracting 35–40 people each time. The pub also hosts a range of events and activities, creating a welcoming space for people to meet and connect.

During the winter, the team runs a free weekly “cosy space,” offering soup, tea and coffee, often supported by volunteer contributions. In times of need, the pub has also acted as a resilience hub, supporting residents during severe weather.

Well done to our runners-up community groups:

• Chalke Valley Community Hub (Wiltshire)
• Kilchoan Community Shop and Service Station (Highlands)

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Congratulations to our winner:

Kirtlington Community Shop (Oxfordshire)

Kirtlington Community Shop is being developed by a group of volunteers working to establish a new shop and café for the village.

With support from Plunkett, the group secured planning permission, registered as a Community Benefit Society and launched a community share offer, raising £180,000 from 220 investors. Fundraising events and local partnerships have built further support, enabling the project to move forward, with a well-attended groundbreaking event in April 2026 marking a key milestone.

Community engagement has been central throughout, with pop-up markets, public meetings and regular communication helping to shape plans and build involvement. The project is being developed with accessibility in mind, supported by specialist advice, and will continue to respond to local needs by exploring additional services and working with local organisations to support residents, including those who are older or less mobile.

Looking ahead, the shop and café aim to provide employment, volunteering and work experience opportunities, ensuring it becomes a sustainable, community-led asset.

Well done to our runners-up community groups:

• The Bell Inn, Curry Mallet (Somerset)
• The Plough, Fadmoor (North Yorkshire)

Congratulations to our winner:

The Bookery, Crediton (Devon)

Over the past decade, The Bookery has developed from an independent bookshop into a community-owned, multi-service hub, responding to local needs and delivering a wide range of social, cultural and economic benefits.

Its programme of outreach activities supports wellbeing and tackles isolation across generations. Regular sessions include Playtime for young children, Soup & Stories for older residents, and Sharing Stories, a volunteer-led programme reaching isolated individuals each month. The Bookery also delivers an extensive school’s programme, engaging over 3,000 children annually, alongside a busy calendar of author events and community activities.

The Bookery provides a co-working space and community meeting room used by local groups, while supporting the local economy by sourcing goods and services from nearby businesses and promoting local authors.

Its designated Warm Space hosts weekly Soup & Stories sessions, alongside calm reading groups for anxious or reluctant readers, free holiday craft activities and author events. Supported by a small staff team and around 50 volunteers, The Bookery continues to deliver long-term impact as a trusted and responsive community hub.

Well done to our runners-up community businesses:

• The Dog Inn, Belthorn (Lancashire)
• Hampstead Norreys Community Shop & Café (Berkshire)

Congratulations to our winners:

Poppy Pinsent, Semley (Wiltshire)

Poppy joined Semley Village Stores as a Duke of Edinburgh volunteer at the age of 13 and quickly became a confident and capable member of the team. She developed strong skills on the till, learned product knowledge and became experienced in serving customers, including preparing teas and coffees. In 2024, she was promoted to a Paid Young Person at just 14, becoming the youngest ever to take on this role at the store. Now 15, she continues to contribute regularly and is a valued part of the team.

Poppy has also taken on responsibility for supporting and training new young volunteers. She has worked with other Duke of Edinburgh participants, showing them how to carry out tasks and helping build their confidence, approaching this with both care and good humour. She is well-liked by customers, volunteers and fellow team members, and continues to play an important role in supporting others while developing her own skills.

Roman Byron, The Rose and Crown, Slaley (Northumberland)

Roman is a valued member of the team at the Rose and Crown in Slaley, recognised for his strong work ethic and positive approach. He is a hardworking and committed individual who consistently shows a willingness to learn and take on new responsibilities.

Roman brings a supportive attitude to the workplace, always ready to help colleagues and contribute to the team. His sense of humour and approachable manner help create a relaxed and welcoming environment for both staff and customers. Well-respected by his peers, Roman plays an important role in fostering a positive atmosphere within the pub. His contribution supports not only the day-to-day running of the business but also the sense of community it provides.

Congratulations to our winner:

Terry Rogers, The Auctioneers Arms, Caverswall (Staffordshire)

Terry plays a key role at The Auctioneers Arms, supporting both the business and the wider community, with a particular focus on developing young people. His calm, supportive and structured approach has helped create an environment where staff can build confidence and gain valuable skills.

A clear example of this is his work with a local school supporting children with special educational needs. Terry developed a structured plan to support a young autistic person, beginning with supervised volunteering and gradually building confidence and independence. Over time, this has led to part-time employment and increased participation in team and social activities.

This approach reflects Terry’s wider commitment to mentoring and supporting younger staff. The team, many of whom are in their early careers, benefit from a positive and encouraging workplace, contributing to strong retention and ongoing interest in roles at the pub.

Through his leadership, Terry continues to have a meaningful impact on staff development and community engagement.

Well done to our runner-up:

• Tina Letanka, Chiddingly Village Shop & Café (East Sussex)