The Plunkett Foundation supports rural communities wanting to set up and run a community-owned shop. We provide practical assistance through this website, a network of community retail advisers, a national office and various publications.
Community ownership is often the only viable option for villages wishing to retain or introduce a local shop. The Plunkett Foundation is dedicated to supporting villages wishing to provide this service.
The Plunkett Foundation's expertise around community-owned shops is also used to carry out research and development projects on behalf of government and other organisations.
In an exciting new development, the Plunkett Foundation, in partnership with the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Co-operative and Community Finance is delighted to announce the launch of the Village CORE Programme through which financial start-up packages of up to £40,000 per shop are available, to be complemented by contributions from the community and advice from the Plunkett Foundation. The loan element of the package is provided by Co-operative and Community Finance, the longest established lender for social purpose in the UK. For further information or to apply, please click here.
Below is one of two inspiring new films produced by the Plunkett Foundation. Focusing on our work with supporting community-owned shops, the film features Tackley 'All-in-One' Centre in Oxfordshire, one of over 180 community-owned shops in the UK. Feel inspired? Now it's your turn!
Please note that the film takes a few moments to begin.
