Britain’s high streets can be engines of renewal - our policy team saw that first‑hand on last week's visit to Nudge in Plymouth. @lucysym.bsky.social breaks down why community‑led power is already transforming places & why a clearer national vision is long overdue 👉 https://bit.ly/4kKuKmI

NEWSLETTER🗞️| Explore new thinking on high streets, find out what's in the new Small Business Strategy, and catch up on the latest news, events and opportunities in the community business world 🌠👇 https://mailchi.mp/powertochange.org.uk/feb26_communitybusinessnews-13703273

Pleased that the Business and Trade Committee has picked up on two of the recommendations in the Shuttered Front work we @powertochange.org.uk did last year.

How can financial systems better serve communities, not just markets? Our executive director, Jennifer Van der Merwe, shares her insights about the introduction of a 'British Community Reinvestment Act' for @powertochange.org.uk Read all about it here: www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...

A big shout out for the community café in St Helens Church Wheathampstead which welcomed us on our walk on Saturday. Also the lovely Crinkle Crankle community garden behind the church. #communitybusiness @powertochange.org.uk

📝 New blog out today from Louise Cross at Make CIC, sharing learning from testing High Street Rental Auctions in Birkenhead. Key insight: HSRAs can catalyse change but are just one tool among many. Real progress involves relationships, community insight & practical support. Read now: buff.ly/P3wxuvY

🧵 This week, the Business & Trade Committee published its report on the Small Business Strategy. We’re delighted to see our evidence clearly reflected in the recommendations. 💪 Significantly, the Committee adopted our call for renewed community ownership funding. 💬 @nickplumb.bsky.social in Sept 👇️

Too much of the value communities create in these buildings flows into the hands of private landlords through meanwhile/leasing of space. Community ownership helps keep that investment local. 84% of Nudge’s spending is in Plymouth and 56% within a mile of Union Street.

Had a great day visiting the fantastic @nudgecommunity.bsky.social with civil servants and @powertochange.org.uk to discuss all things community ownership and high street regeneration. Come for a look around… (🧵)

🧵🌞 It’s a huge day for community energy. Our statement on the Local Power Plan: "We're delighted to see the long-awaited Local Power Plan launch. The Plan’s landmark commitment of £1bn to support 1000+ local & community energy projects has the potential to drive community ownership like never before

Read our blueprint for community-powered neighbourhood governance: www.right-here.org/wp-content/u... 🧵 8/8

"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate democracy & make partnership with communities central to our way of governing. There's loads of great practice across councils we can build on, rather than starting from scratch." @nickplumb.bsky.social, @powertochange.org.uk 🧵 2/8

It's a useful moment - particularly with pending High Streets Strategy - to reflect on our thinking in 'Fixing the foundations', a 2024 report which looked at how economic renewal could flow into strong, resilient communities buff.ly/UmuXvGj

@jesscraig.bsky.social spoke to Positive News about the communities stepping up where the state and big retailers have retreated — taking ownership of vital local assets and keeping them thriving 👇

Wrote last week about what I think should be in the high streets strategy (and it's not just support for retail businesses!) www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...

We speak to Giovanna Speciale, CEO of South East London Community Energy, about its work towards an inclusive transition www.thenews.coop/how-a-london...

Pride in Place continues to form a core part of the government's agenda, with 40 new neighbourhoods confirmed to receive investment. @nickplumb.bsky.social responds to the Prime Minister's speech today:

✍️ @kindredlcr.bsky.social's Jennifer Van Der Merwe blogs about the introduction of a 'British Community Reinvestment Act', and how a people‑centred approach to lending can shape a fairer financial system 👉️ buff.ly/fj4BnbF @responsiblefinance.bsky.social @lpoolcityregion.bsky.social

How can community-powered neighbourhood governance help rebuild trust in one of the most contested areas of local decision-making: planning and development? Read our guest blog by @tomchance.bsky.social, Chief Executive of the Community Land Trust Network.

📝 Deep dive: Britain’s high streets need more than quick fixes. In our latest long read @jesscraig.bsky.social sets out what a credible government strategy must include — from tackling empty buildings to building a new vision for the future: bit.ly/4q8NH3E

🏬 Meanwhile space can bring our high streets back to life - but it isn't enough on its own. In this blog in a mini-series, Artspace Lifespace CEO Kathryn Chiswell-Jones reflects on lessons from Stockport & why long term community ownership is essential for lasting change. 👉️ buff.ly/KRmhkM0

📝 Deep dive: Britain’s high streets need more than quick fixes. In our latest long read @jesscraig.bsky.social sets out what a credible government strategy must include — from tackling empty buildings to building a new vision for the future: bit.ly/4q8NH3E

This work we @powertochange.org.uk did with @luketryl.bsky.social is a reminder of this potential

🏬 Important coverage today on the state of Britain’s high streets. @drjennings.bsky.social's research finds people who feel their local area has declined are more pessimistic about the future + Reform supporters are most likely to report decline: buff.ly/UcFpKkQ @michaelgoodier.bsky.social

This is a good idea. Need to look at places like Dumfries that have been having this conversation a while and how they (and others) are approaching it www.bbc.co.uk/news/article....

🏘️ Discover community-led urbanism in this newly available issue of the Urban Design journal, with examples from department stores, former icons of the high street, repurposed as community hubs, as told by @jesscraig.bsky.social. Read the issue here: buff.ly/kFbE2Sn

This week the English Devo & Community Empowerment Bill moves through Committee Stage, a key moment to shift power closer to communities through new Neighbourhood Governance arrangements. Read how to get them right & give communities a real seat at the table: buff.ly/zvrBjJS@righ...

In the second blog in our series on new neighbourhood governance arrangements, @hopenothate.org.uk explores how improved neighbourhood governance could help foster community agency, build resilience, and defend against divisive ideologies. www.right-here.org/how-neighbou...

✍️ Communities are taking action as high streets struggle. This first blog in a mini-series shines a spotlight on our community-led high street innovators pilot, and the 5 community businesses testing new approaches to revitalising high streets & town centres. 👉 Kate McKenzie's blog: buff.ly/M8DoXCG

Putting power back into residents' hands couldn’t be more urgent. New Neighbourhood Governance arrangements are being shaped now. Done right, they could shift power to communities. Our briefing with @right-here.org, @hopenothate.org.uk, & @powertochange.org.uk sets out how: https://bit.ly/3LYgzxi

New Neighbourhood Governance arrangements are being shaped - and done right, they could shift power to communities. This briefing with @right-here.org, @localtrust.org.uk, and @hopenothate.org.uk sets out how: bit.ly/A-blueprint-...

Proud to collaborate with @right-here.org @localtrust.org.uk @hopenothate.org.uk and @powertochange.org.uk on how New Neighbourhood Governance arrangements can put power in the hands of local people. Read the blueprint: bit.ly/A-blueprint-...

NEWSLETTER🗞️| Kick off 2026 with stories of community power in action. Our film sets out the role community business can play in addressing the societal challenges of our time. Plus, latest updates, events & opportunities👇 https://mailchi.mp/powertochange.org.uk/jan26_communitybusinessnews-13703005

Social clubs are member-run spaces that have historically built trust between local people & institutions. Our Closing the Void paper argued associational orgs like social clubs counter divisive online discourse & social fragmentation by offering spaces for civil discussion: buff.ly/v1DwTXl

Who's leading the revitalisation of our high streets? 👀 Across England, pioneers like Nudge Community Builders are showing the way 🌱 Great to see them recognised in the Guardian, with @powertochange.org.uk's research showing deep connection between decline of social infrastructure & polarisation.

Interesting research that largely mirrors our findings last year in 'Shuttered front'. We found that Reform overperformed in local elections in places suffering high street decline. Read the breakdown: www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and... And the report: www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...

What do people in England think about their local area? In this short report I take a look at surveys we conducted with @yougov.co.uk in 2022, 2024 and 2025 to gain some insights... Some key findings...

📢 Join West Midlands Combined Authority as Strategic Lead for Social Economy Growth. We're delighted to continue supporting this role to deliver an ambitious and innovative programme to double the size of the region's social economy. Apply by 25 Jan:

🧵 @nickplumb.bsky.social spoke to John about high street decline — and where hope lies. The article points to shifts in power that can unlock real change, like @nudgecommunity.bsky.social in Plymouth, and draws on our Shuttered Front research: www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...

We talk about community business – but what does that mean, and what's so special about it? We believe business can be so much more than profit. Community businesses are shaped by local people, created to meet real needs – building connection, resilience & opportunity along the way. buff.ly/x4kOcZW

We know the state of our high streets and neighbourhoods shapes how people feel about their lives and the country. Govts Pride in Place programme funds 300 neighbourhoods, with decision‑making to include community groups — a positive shift.

✨ As we step into a new year (and a new decade for Power to Change!), we’ve been reflecting on everything that 2025 brought — a year of celebrating the people and places driving change, and imagining what the next ten years could hold.

A great new film by @powertochange.org.uk looks back at a decade of supporting over 2,000 community businesses. It celebrates the role of community businesses in bringing vision, opportunity, connection and joy to places across the country. Watch the film: youtu.be/14XUwJCDPVU?... #PowertoChange10

Our offices will close on 24 December and our social media channels will be taking a rest from today. We'll be back making the case for community businesses on 5 Jan! Wishing our friends and partners a great festive break. ✨

Interesting piece on the history of post-war place-based policy (which spells out some clear lessons for the government's pride in place programme)

As we come to the end of our 10th year, we're looking to a future that's community-led - where community businesses build economies that work for people & planet & support people to make connections in a community they can rely on. 📺 Our new film brings this ambition to life: bit.ly/44BfuSi

💡As our ten-year celebrations draw to a close, we’ve been reflecting on what the next decade of community business should learn from the last and what that means as we head into a new year.

⚡ While we wind down the year – and draw our ten year celebrations to a close – we’re spotlighting innovative thinkers in our 10 year essay collection. Today take inspiration from @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social, who is working for a world where tech works for 8 billion people not eight billionaires

Yes. @powertochange.org.uk did some good work around a High St Buy Out Fund that would buy and hold property whilst communities were developing ideas/capacity. And yes, definitely let's get a coffee post Xmas! www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and....

A great read. Back on the Map are doing incredible things in Sunderland - local people coming together to transform their neighbourhoods and create opportunities.