Plunkett UK has shared its insights & policy suggestions to tackle deprivation in rural areas with the Labour Rural Research Group in response to its call for evidence to inform an upcoming report.

As we bid farewell to 2025, Plunkett UK says a great big thank you to all the corporate partners who have supported our work with community businesses over the year. 🌟 👉 https://plunkett.co.uk/big-thank-you-partners/

You’re a community that's passionate to save & run your village pub – but how do you find funding to turn vision into reality? 👉 https://www.goodfinance.org.uk/latest/post/securing-pubs-future-lessons-punch-bowl-inn?utm_source=plunkettuk_bluesky&utm_medium=organic_social @goodfinanceuk.bsky.social

Inside The Ploughman: Restoring the heart of the community. ❤️ Discover the story of how locals came together to save a 200-year-old pub in a once ‘forgotten part of Scotland.’ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 👉 https://plunkett.co.uk/restoring-the-heart-of-a-community/ @democraticfinance.bsky.social

Looking back at 2025, we are immensely proud of the impact that community businesses – and especially our members – are making across the country. Enjoy our summary blog of what has been a jam-packed and rewarding year at Plunkett UK. ➡️ https://plunkett.co.uk/the-12-months-of-plunkett-2025/

🔜Our next series of SIG webinars begins in January This session will provide an opportunity to share ideas, & discuss how Plunkett and community groups can respond to the climate crisis. ✅ ➡️ https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/special-interest-group-environmental-action-tickets-1975302271267

Our village shop looking very festive - despite the weather! 🎄 🤶 🎄 🤶 @yorkshiredales.org.uk @plunkettuk.bsky.social

🎅Are you stuck for ideas for a Secret Santa present? Our festive raffle could be the answer for you! Enter to win a hamper containing a selection of treats kindly donated by #Combiz from across the UK! 🤩 👉Find out more: https://uk2.emma-live.com/plunkettgaladinner/prize-draw/1000060808

🎄Plunkett’s Christmas Auction!🎄 Support rural communities this Christmas – take part in our festive fundraiser for a chance to bag some amazing last-minute gifts and experiences.🌟 ➡️Find out more and make your bids today: https://uk2.emma-live.com/plunkettgaladinner/prize-draw/1000060808

Why do we produce the Better Business Report?🤔 📈Benchmark community businesses 💊Assess the health of the network  🗣️Build an evidence base for advocacy ➡️Find out more about the report and our key asks here: https://plunkett.co.uk/better-business-report-2025/ #BetterBusiness2025 #OwnItTogether

How did a small village in south Wales turn adversity into achievement? For #InternationalVolunteerDay, Rosie Plummer shares the people-powered journey behind Dryslwyn’s community-owned shop & their exciting next chapter.  https://plunkett.co.uk/investing-in-local-people-to-build-a-better-future/

Over £20,000 was raised to support Plunkett UK’s work with community-owned businesses at our Gala Dinner, held last Tuesday (25 November), and attended by 100 guests at Royal Society of Arts House in London.  ➡️ Read more: https://plunkett.co.uk/glamour-meets-giving-at-gala-auction/

Catch up on all the latest news from November! 🗞️ 🗣️This month, our advocacy work took centre stage with the launch of our annual report Community Ownership: A Better Form of Business.  https://mailchi.mp/plunkett.co.uk/e-newsletter-november-10595854

📣Calling all Plunkett members! Join our CEO, James Alcock, for a dedicated online session where we’ll explore, trading challenges, the impact of the recent Budget and opportunities for co op growth.📈 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/member-voice-a-conversation-with-the-ceo-tickets-1976182949399

A warm welcome awaits this festive season. Rural community businesses are lifelines - opening warm spaces, hosting Christmas events, and delivering essentials to those most in need. 🌟 🫵With your support, Plunkett helps ensure no one is left alone. 👉 https://plunkett.co.uk/christmas25/

“It’s been incredible to see people with all sorts of skills & experiences coming together, united by a shared goal.” 🤩 Community-owned pub and Plunkett member, Ty’n Llan is reopening this evening after a major refurbishment. 👉 Read more on our blog: https://plunkett.co.uk/transforming-tyn-llan/

Your membership benefits! 📈 📽️Watch this video to get a whistlestop tour of how to use and make the most of our Member Hub!   Click the link below to watch the video and find out more about membership 👇

Thank you to everyone who joined our Gala Dinner in the stunning surroundings of RSA House. Thanks to people's generosity, and that of those who took part in the auction & raffle draw online, we're thrilled to have raised £22,000 to support Plunkett’s work with rural community-owned businesses.

Plunkett UK has expressed deep disappointment that today’s Budget fails to deliver meaningful support for rural community businesses – despite the Government’s own commitment to grow the co-operative sector. https://plunkett.co.uk/rural-community-businesses-left-behind-by-budget/ #Budget2025

From Local Roots to Royal Recognition 🌟 Discover our latest case study celebrating Huby and Sutton Community Shop; a volunteer run hub at the heart of its village, recently honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. 👑 👉 https://plunkett.co.uk/from-local-roots-to-royal-recognition/

Struggling for Christmas present ideas? Take part in Plunkett UK's Gala Auction 2025 before tomorrow evening - and help raise vital funds to support our work with community-owned businesses across the country. ➡️ https://uk2.emma-live.com/plunkettgaladinner

LIGHTS, CAMRA, ACTION! @camraofficial.bsky.social has released the first episode of its new 3-part #communitypubs documentary series, which celebrates locals who have come together to save their much-loved locals. 🤩 ➡️Watch the Antwerp Arms film: https://learn.camra.org.uk/courses/the-antwerp-arms

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our online charity auction, raising vital funds to support our work with #combiz across the UK 🌟 With incredible lots up for grabs, there’s something for everyone...start bidding today!  ➡️ https://uk2.emma-live.com/plunkettgaladinner

Connecting the community at the heart of Woodcroft 🤩 👀In our latest case study, discover the story of The Rising Sun, an award-winning pub that has become a vital hub for the community of Woodcroft in Gloucestershire. ➡️ https://plunkett.co.uk/connecting-the-community-woodcroft/

🗣️Advocating for change  Plunkett’s annual repor tshows that community businesses are doing exactly what government says it wants to achieve – driving inclusive growth, boosting pride in place, and empowering local decision-making. ➡️ https://plunkett.co.uk/better-business-report-2025/

Caroline Voaden MP has received Plunkett's backing over her call for the establishment of a Community Ownership Fund (COF) within six months of the passage of the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill.  Read more: https://plunkett.co.uk/plunkett-urges-government-to-accept-cof-amendment/

@wendychambld.bsky.social and @willierennie.bsky.social have visited Plunkett members – The Haven Community Inn & Elie Kirk Community Enterprise to see the role we have in supporting thriving communities. ➡️Read more: https://plunkett.co.uk/parliamentarians-visit-community-businesses-in-north-fife/

Join us for this FREE webinar with Bertie Herrtage, The Crowdfunding Coach, on how to engage your community and bring your business project to life. ➡️Book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crowdfunding-how-to-tell-your-story-for-a-successful-campaign-tickets-1921534113259

Over 70 politicians, partners, and community business representatives gathered at the Houses of Parliament this week to launch our flagship research report.📝 ➡️Read more about the day and our key messages: https://plunkett.co.uk/parliament-hears-rural-community-business-concerns-at-report-launch/

💻Join our free webinar to explore how #combiz can broaden their services to better support local needs and we will discuss how to build business plans that deliver even more. ➡️ https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/providing-access-to-a-wide-range-of-services-tickets-1813348978609

UK's community businesses deliver social, economic and environmental benefits, says @plunkettuk.bsky.social – but the government needs to step up support for sector #coops

🗣️Our new research reveals that rural #combiz are already delivering social, economic and environmental benefits that align directly with government ambitions – yet they remain under-recognised & under-supported in doing so. ➡️Read the report: https://plunkett.co.uk/better-business-report-2025

Catch up on all the latest news from October! 🗞️ Collaboration took centre stage this month at Plunkett UK. 🤝 ➡️Explore more: https://mailchi.mp/plunkett.co.uk/e-newsletter-october-10595282

Coming soon…🔜 📜We’re excited to launch our annual state-of-the-sector research on Monday!  👀Keep an eye on our website and socials throughout the week for updates!

Representing Plunkett Members in Political Conversations🤝  In our latest blog, our Head of External Affairs, David Lydiat, reflects on what he heard and engaged with at the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences.  👉 https://plunkett.co.uk/representing-our-members-in-political-conversations/

🗣️“Barratt Redrow’s vision is aligned with our own – we both want to see resilient, thriving & inclusive communities.” Harriet English, Deputy CEO at Plunkett UK ➡️Read more about our partnership: https://plunkett.co.uk/new-collaboration-between-plunkett-uk-and-barratt-redrow/

Enjoy this short video from our recent tour of community businesses in Oxfordshire 👉Find out more about the visits and our partnership with the Co-operatives Retail Society network in our collaborative blog: https://plunkett.co.uk/places-that-genuinely-care-for-people/

In this case study, discover the story of GALE’s award-winning approach to inclusive volunteering & year-round community impact They’ve built a model that not only serves their own community but offers a blueprint for others across the UK.🤩 https://plunkett.co.uk/investing-in-local-people-at-gale/

We're excited to be convening a roundtable with a select group of hospitality industry experts & supporters in Oxfordshire today. Hosted with Diageo, we’re gathering insights to help these spaces thrive as inclusive, sustainable hubs. We'll share more about today's outcomes soon! 👀

Recently, our Deputy CEO, Harriet English, was in Pease Pottage, West Sussex - home to Thakeham’s brand new community of Woodgate & its thriving community shop, for an afternoon of filming. The video will showcase Woodgate’s long-term legacy, & how this community is different from so many others

📽️Plunkett member, The Chequers in Roxford, Essex was the star attraction in a feature about community-owned pubs broadcast on BBC Morning Live today. ➡️Watch the feature to find out more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002ktgh/morning-live-series-7-16102025 from 34:00

Recently, we welcomed James Dady, Member Relations Co-ordinator from our partner, @cooperativesuk.bsky.social, to Oxfordshire to share more about Plunkett UK and to see two Oxfordshire community-owned businesses in action. Discover more: https://plunkett.co.uk/places-that-genuinely-care-for-people/

🗣️ Have your say on rural life! RSN has launched a new survey to capture rural voices across  England. 📝 8–10 mins | Anonymous | Real impact 👇 http://bit.ly/3VlVq1i @rsnonline.bsky.social

Head of External Affairs, David Lydiat, has represented Plunkett UK recently at both Labour & Conservative Party Conferences. 🤝 🗣️He met with key decision makers and organisations to discuss a range of current issues, and working together in the interests of Plunkett Members...

Community at the heart of new collaboration 💚 We are delighted to announce a new three-year strategic partnership with the country’s largest homebuilder, Barratt Redrow. 🤝 ➡️Find out more: https://plunkett.co.uk/new-collaboration-between-plunkett-uk-and-barratt-redrow/

Catch up from all the latest news from September!📰 Equity, diversity, & inclusion remain central to our mission - and this month, inclusion took centre stage.  Take a moment to explore what we’ve been up to this Monday lunchtime  https://mailchi.mp/plunkett.co.uk/e-newsletter-september-10594788

Three decades of community ownership at Itteringham Community Shop 🤩 In this case study, committee member Mike Hemsley, shares insights into Itteringham’s journey of having a community-owned shop. 👉Read more: https://plunkett.co.uk/30yrs-of-community-ownership-at-itteringham-shop/

💻A webinar for your diaries – boosting the local economy In this webinar, we will be focusing on ways in which community-owned businesses can boost their local economy.  Join the conversation! 🗣️ https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/social-impact-boosting-the-local-economy-tickets-1753159831249

📽️Hear from Carly, a volunteer and director at Barr Community Shop in South Ayrshire, as she highlights the significance of being a Plunkett member. Interested in joining our network?  Discover the many benefits of becoming a Plunkett member. ➡️ https://plunkett.co.uk/become-a-member/

The transformative power of co-operation 🙌 Sophie Ziegler-Jones, Comms & PR Lead at Suma Wholefoods, explains why partnering with us & supporting community businesses is a natural fit for them as a co-operative wholesaler. 🤝 ➡️ https://plunkett.co.uk/the-transformative-power-of-co-operation/