The community business sector has been negatively impacted by inflation and rising costs; however, new research from the Plunkett Foundation shows that community businesses continue to put people first. Even though as many as 1 in 3 businesses are concerned about the next 12 months, over 50% of the network have awarded cost of living pay rises to staff. 64% of community businesses with tenants offered rent reductions and extensions. Whilst two thirds of businesses have absorbed price rises to maintain affordability of products and services for their community. The…
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Plunkett announces new partnership with Bestway Wholesale
The Plunkett Foundation is delighted to announce a new charity partnership with Bestway Wholesale, the UK’s largest independently owned national wholesaler of food and beverage goods. Bestway has pledged to partner with Plunkett in recognition of their shared commitment to supporting rural community retail businesses. Bestway recognises the important role community retail plays in the day to day lives of the customers they serve, and not just by providing fair access to food for all, but also in recognition of the social and wellbeing benefits created. The partnership will celebrate…
Read MoreNew research reveals strong community business growth and a growing movement of rural community grassroots campaigners.
Despite extremely difficult trading conditions, the courage of rural communities is creating business growth where commercial companies fail. UK charity the Plunkett Foundation, a charity which supports communities to create resilient and thriving businesses for community benefit, published today two reports revealing an increase in the number of community-owned businesses amidst declining sectors and the severe trading difficulties of the last two years due to the pandemic. The Better form of Business reports identify that by the end of 2021 15 new community-owned pubs opened to take the total number…
Read MoreCelebrating the UK’s Best Community-owned Businesses
To recognise and celebrate the community businesses and their volunteers that go that extra mile to help their communities Plunkett Foundation is launching its annual Rural Community Business Awards. Across the UK a growing number of 800 community-owned businesses are creating resilient, thriving and inclusive rural towns and villages. Whether a shop, farm, bakery, woodland or pub – their much valued services help tackle rural issues of isolation, loneliness, access to essential goods, provide jobs and training, help the environment and create amazing opportunities to bring people together to improve…
Read More12 community organisations launch platform to unleash new wave of community activism
Leading community sector infrastructure organisations in the UK have come together to create an online network to inspire and enable local people to act for themselves on the issues they care about in their community. My Community is the brainchild of 12 leading organisations including Power to Change, Locality, Acre, Groundwork, Local Trust, Plunkett Foundation, Co-operatives UK, MHCLG, NAVCA, New Economics Foundation, NCVO and Semble. Launching this week, it provides a go-to space of trusted resources to help people find the information they need about the support options available, while…
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