On Friday 17 July, the OurCoop team took on a challenging 23-mile trek, covering more than 52,000 steps in temperatures exceeding 30°C raising over £3,000 for our work! 🚶   Find out more about the challenge 👉 https://plunkett.co.uk/walk-challenge-raises-vital-funds-to-save-village-shops-and-pubs/

At our Community Business Exchange, finalists from this year's awards shared experiences, worked together to explore common challenges and opportunities, and discussed practical solutions that could be applied elsewhere. 🌟 Read more > https://plunkett.co.uk/the-power-of-shared-experience/

We're celebrating 10 years of the Community Shares Booster Fund, marked by the announcement of a dedicated successor investment fund from lead partner, Co-operatives UK. 📝 Learn more > https://plunkett.co.uk/community-shares-booster-fund-celebrates-10-years-with-new-investment-fund-announcement/

Why Keeping It Local Matters  In this blog we're shining a spotlight on Boosting the Local Economy. This area highlights the vital contribution community businesses continue to make in their local areas, even amid ongoing economic challenges. 👉 https://plunkett.co.uk/why-keeping-it-local-matters/

Catch up on all the latest news from July! 📰 Last month, we celebrated the incredible impact & resilience of our members at the #RCBAwards2026...and much more! Read the full update here > https://mailchi.mp/plunkett.co.uk/e-newsletter-july26-10599401

Q&A Time! 🗣️ In this interview-style blog, our Impact Officer, George Ogier, reflects on his first year in the role & shares key insights from his experience so far. 💬 Read the full interview > https://plunkett.co.uk/driving-community-impact/ #Impact #CommunityBusiness

📣It’s Chilterns Challenge Day!  Your donations will enable more communities to come together, take ownership of their future and build stronger, more connected places to live. 🌟 Donate today > https://www.justgiving.com/page/ourcoop20milewalk #ChilternsChallenge #CoopsSupportingCoops

In our latest news piece, we welcome the Government’s continued commitment to supporting a nationwide Post Office network, while highlighting areas where we believe further progress is needed. Read our full response > https://plunkett.co.uk/plunkett-responds-to-governments-post-office-plans/

It’s #RuralHousingWeek! 🏘️ In our latest blog, Harriet English, our Deputy Chief Executive, explains why creating thriving communities should be at the heart of every new rural development. 🌟 Read more 👉 https://plunkett.co.uk/building-more-than-houses/ #Placemaking

Catch up on all the latest from a busy June! 📰 One of the month's key highlights was the launch of our 2026 Impact Report at The Shard, where we welcomed partners and delegates to celebrate the growing impact of community ownership.  > https://mailchi.mp/plunkett.co.uk/e-newsletter-june26-10598920

🌟Celebrating the very best of rural community ownership at the #RCBAwards2026 📖 Read our latest news story to relive the highlights of the evening and celebrate this year's winners: https://plunkett.co.uk/celebrating-rural-community-ownership/

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for the #RCBAwards2026 We're delighted to share this year's winners on our website, where you can learn more about their inspiring work. 🏆 ➡️ https://plunkett.co.uk/rural-community-business-awards/

🫶This afternoon’s big #CoopFortnight shout out goes to @plunkettuk.bsky.social 👏 which supports people in rural areas to set up and run community‑owned businesses. 🌾 🧵👇️ (1/5)

As national attention focuses on the social value of Britain’s pubs, we are calling for greater support for the rural communities fighting to save the businesses that sit at the heart of village life. 📣 > https://plunkett.co.uk/urging-support-for-rural-hospitality-to-keep-the-last-lights-on/

📣Help us to help you!  Did you know you can support Plunkett in just a few clicks? 💡 The Benefact Group's Movement for Good Special Draw is open and you can nominate Plunkett! 🚨Deadline: Sunday 5 July 

We could receive a £5,000 donation with your help through the Movement for Good Draw.

We could receive a £5,000 donation with your help through the Movement for Good Draw.

movementforgood.com

“Co-operatives supporting co-operatives” is at the heart of this year’s #CoopFortnight celebrations for the CRSN - a partnership dedicated to growing #combiz across the UK. 📈 > https://plunkett.co.uk/co-op-fortnight-highlights-growing-role-of-community-owned-businesses-in-the-co-operative-movement/

🗣️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 #combiz – & the opportunities to overcome them.  > https://plunkett.co.uk/a-new-voice-for-community-business-policy/

Together for Good 🌟 This is the theme for Great Big Green Week, where we’re celebrating how Plunkett and community businesses are driving and inspiring environmental impact. ✅ Read the full blog > https://plunkett.co.uk/together-for-good/ #TheGreatBigGreenWeek #ImpactReport2026

Our newly-launched report highlights rising demand for community ownership. A key highlight shows that 34 new #combiz opened in 2025, bringing the sector to 869 trading businesses across the UK. 📈 👉 https://plunkett.co.uk/new-report-highlights-demand-for-community-ownership/ #ImpactReport2026

📣Today, we are delighted to launch our 2026 Impact Report! As communities continue to navigate a challenging economic landscape, their resilience has never been more evident. 📈 Find out more > https://plunkett.co.uk/impact-report-26/ #ImpactReport2026 #CommunityOwnedResilience

Coming soon…🔜 We’re excited to launch our annual Impact Report tomorrow!  Keep an eye on our website & socials throughout the week for more information. 👀 #ImpactReport

20 Years at the Heart of Bathford ❤️ This is the story of Bathford Village Shop and Café, a place at the centre of the community, providing connection, support and essential services for over two decades. ➡️ https://plunkett.co.uk/20-years-at-the-heart-of-bathford/

📣Introducing our 2026 finalists… We’re delighted to reveal our finalists for this year’s #RCBAwards , kindly sponsored by Lands Improvement. 🤩 You can find out more about each category’s finalists on our page. 👀 ➡️ https://plunkett.co.uk/rural-community-business-awards/

In response to today’s national coverage highlighting growing concerns about young people’s access to work, we believe community ownership is key. ✅ Read the full piece, with examples from our #combiz members > https://plunkett.co.uk/community-owned-hospitality-helping-tackle-youth-unemployment/

📣We’re hiring: Community Business Officer (Trading) ➡️Applications close on Friday 3 July at 5pm. Find out more about the role and apply > https://plunkett.co.uk/job-vacancy-community-business-officer-trading/ #CommunityBusinessOfficer #TradingCombiz #OxfordshireJobs

Right from the start, @plunkettuk.bsky.social has supported our community pub. We're grateful for their ongoing help and guidance and we are proud to donate to their crowdfunder: link below. This'll help other communities bring businesses into community ownership and help build resilience.

Plunkett UK@plunkettuk.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Across the UK, rural pubs, cafés, restaurants and breweries are disappearing at an alarming rate. 🚨 Our Crowdfunder launches today – and we urgently need your support to stop these losses. Find out more and how to donate today > https://plunkett.co.uk/save-rural-hospitality/ #SaveRuralHospitality

When Community Rights are Wrong Read how the community in Stoke Goldington has been held back by current legislation in its efforts to secure The Lamb – and why the new Community Right to Buy offers new hope. 📈 Read more > https://plunkett.co.uk/when-community-rights-are-wrong/

Protecting Places That Bring Us Together 🤝 This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, we’re celebrating how community-owned hospitality businesses are lifelines: welcoming spaces where people can connect, & feel less alone. 🌟 Read more ➡️ https://plunkett.co.uk/protecting-places-that-bring-us-together/

Meet our panel of judges who will carefully consider the nominations for the 2026 Rural Community Business Awards. Keep an eye out on Monday 1 June when we’ll be sharing more details about the finalists on our website and socials. 👀 ➡️ https://plunkett.co.uk/meet-the-judges-2026/ #RCBAwards2026

In his blog, our CEO, James Alcock, reflects on how the passing of strengthened Community Right to Buy legislation marks a significant moment for communities across England. Read James’s blog to find out more > https://plunkett.co.uk/a-landmark-moment-for-community-ownership-and-what-comes-next/