Plunkett UK

20/06/2026

Meet our Young Person Finalists! ⭐

One inspiring impact community businesses have is the vital opportunities they create for young people - and this category highlights the positive impact they bring. 🤩

👋Meet:

• Poppy Pinsent, Semley Village Stores
• Roman Byron, Rose and Crown, Slaley

Discover more about our finalists > https://plunkett.co.uk/rural-community-business-awards/

19/06/2026

📣“This impact report is a valuable tool for us to take to the community and show that it’s a proven model. We know community businesses can survive, and we know our model - a community hub that’s more than just a pub - is really important.”

📽️Hear from Amanda Reynolds of Save the Six Bells Peterstone, as she shares their journey to community ownership and how the value of our Impact Report.

Read more about our 2026 report here > https://plunkett.co.uk/impact-report-26/

19/06/2026

It’s not every day that a member of the Royal Family lends their support to a community share offer! But His Royal Highness Prince William has done just that by backing Semington Community Benefit Society, a Plunkett community business member working to bring the Somerset Arms in Wiltshire back to life with our expert support. 🤝

In this BBC News article, Prince William describes pubs as “lifelines” for communities - and at Plunkett UK, we couldn’t agree more.

🔗https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2jy5wezplo?app-referrer=deep-link

Community-owned hospitality businesses are vital to rural life. They provide essential services and create lasting impact by supporting local employment (including opportunities for young people and those with disabilities), driving environmental action, and strengthening local economies. 🌟

However, these businesses are not immune to the growing challenges facing the hospitality sector. As pressures continue to rise, the need for Plunkett’s support has never been greater.

The residents of Semington are just one of more than 800 communities working to save or sustain their local hospitality venues.
With your support, we can continue to help these groups keep their doors open. Support our crowdfunder today.

➡️ https://plunkett.co.uk/save-rural-hospitality/

Save the Somerset Arms

Our overlooked rural communities are in crisis: we need your help urgently. Give to our Crowdfunder Local communities suffer greatly if they lose their pubs, restaurants, cafés and breweries. Closures of essential services put people in rural areas at greater risk of isolation, particularly those e...

18/06/2026

🗣️A New Voice for Community Business Policy

In our latest blog, hear from our new Policy Manager, Ian Young, who shares his perspective on the barriers facing rural community businesses – and the opportunities to overcome them.

💬“I encourage members to get in touch with the trends they’re noticing or any concerns that may need political attention – your insight helps ensure we can represent you effectively and advocate for what matters most.”

Read the full blog > https://plunkett.co.uk/a-new-voice-for-community-business-policy/

18/06/2026

We were pleased to be mentioned in yesterday’s Westminster Hall debate on fiscal support for rural pubs by Manuella Perteghella MP for Stratford-on-Avon.

She mentions that The Fox at Loxley Community Pub was only saved thanks to the intervention of residents and Plunkett UK, and has gone onto become a thriving community owned pub. She highlights the growing pressures on pubs and the wider hospitality sector, calling for fairer business rates and greater Government support to help these vital community assets succeed.

We couldn’t agree more and our advocacy works continues making sure that rural communities and our members aren’t overlooked. Highlighting the vital impact these businesses have on their local communities.

Find out more about our advocacy work > https://plunkett.co.uk/advocacy/

17/06/2026

Impact Report Launch – one week on 📄

Supporters, policymakers and partners joined the Plunkett team this time last week to launch our 2026 Impact Report, highlighting the continued growth of community ownership across the UK. 📈

Despite ongoing challenges, the movement is growing. In 2025, 34 new community-owned businesses opened, bringing the total to 869 in operation, with around 1,000 more in development.

At The Shard, guests heard directly from community business leaders about their local impact and the role Plunkett has played in supporting their success. A panel chaired by Plunkett’s Impact Officer, George Ogier featured Rosie Plummer (Dryslwyn Community Shop) and Amanda Reynolds (Save the Six Bells Peterstone), representing both established businesses and those on the journey to community ownership. 🌟

The event was kindly sponsored by Mova, with support from Ampa and Sky Wave Gin.

Read more here > https://plunkett.co.uk/new-report-highlights-demand-for-community-ownership/

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

17/06/2026

Yesterday, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP, announced a £60m Community Right to Buy Fund at New Local’s Stronger Things Conference. This is a really encouraging step, demonstrating a strong commitment to community ownership and recognising the wider social and economic value that community-owned businesses bring.

🗣️Alongside our partners - including Locality, Power to Change and Co-operatives UK - we’ve consistently called for greater support for community ownership, combining practical development support with access to finance.

At Plunkett, we’re currently supporting over 1,000 groups exploring community ownership. We know how vital the right mix of funding and practical support is to help communities turn their ambitions into reality. 🌟

As more details emerge, it will be important that the fund works for rural communities too, where businesses often face unique challenges. We also hope it supports not just new buyouts, but existing community businesses - many of which are working hard to stay resilient in a challenging climate.

📣Community ownership doesn’t stop at purchase - it’s about ensuring these businesses can continue to thrive and serve their communities for years to come.

Find out more about our policy & advocacy work > https://plunkett.co.uk/advocacy/

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

17/06/2026

📣We’re delighted to introduce the finalists for the Award.

This category recognises our members that have made a significant and wide-ranging impact, and have been successfully trading for at least five years. 📈

🌟Congratulations to our three finalists:

• The Bookery, Crediton
• Hampstead Norreys Community Shop & Café
• The Dog Inn at Belthorn Community Freehouse

Find out more about all the finalists > https://plunkett.co.uk/rural-community-business-awards/

16/06/2026

Meet the finalists! 👋

In the Investing in Local People category these finalists are dedicated to supporting local people through employment training, and skills development. 🌟

Our three finalists are 👇

• The Auctioneers Arms Caverswall
• The George Pub Wickham Market
• Stokeinteignhead Community Shop

Find out more about our 2026 finalists > https://plunkett.co.uk/rural-community-business-awards/

16/06/2026

Marketing that moves people: a webinar to help community businesses take practical steps ✅

Community businesses often have a lot to communicate, but limited time and capacity to plan it. This practical webinar will help attendees step back from reactive posting and start thinking about their marketing communications in a clearer, more coordinated way. 🗣️

Laurie Warren from Canvas Consultancy, a Plunkett-recommended supplier, will introduce a simple planning approach and a practical communications template that you can start using straight away for your own organisation.

This event is FREE for Plunkett UK members & £18 for non-members.

Tuesday 7 July 📅

10.00 – 11.30am 🕙

Book your place > https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/marketing-that-moves-people-practical-foundations-for-community-businesses-tickets-1991351070658