Share Offer

We need to generate a minimum of £160,000 from our share offer to launch the project with an additional matching sum to be generated through grants and donations. With a successful take-up of shares from our community, we will demonstrate to all potential funders that there is considerable support within the villages for the project and unlock the opportunity to access further funding from grant-awarding bodies. Many of these bodies award grants on a matching basis. Please ensure you read our Business Prospectus and Share Offer documents

Community Shares

By buying Community Shares people and companies raise much needed capital whilst at the same time investing in the social infrastructure of their community. Local people are encouraged to buy shares and therefore automatically become members of the Community Benefit Society. As a shareholder each member becomes an owner of the Society and receives a vote to use at the Annual Members Meeting. Every person holding any number of shares is entitled to one vote and so is involved in all major decisions about the direction of the business.

Who can buy shares?

Anyone over the age of 18 can invest as an individual. You do not have to be from the villages or local area. Share ownership is also open to our suppliers, other businesses in the area and former residents of the villages who support our vision. Shares are £1 each with a minimum investment of £100 up to a maximum of £65,000.

The management committee will constantly review membership and will invite all customers, new residents and companies active in our area to consider supporting the project by buying shares or making donations. Joint memberships, Corporate bodies or unincorporated groups who wish to support this project must nominate an individual to represent them as the named shareholder. Each member of the same household over 18 may become a member of the Society.

Our shares are described as withdrawable. They cannot be sold or traded but may be withdrawn subject to the rules of the society as set out in the Withdrawal Policy document. This outlines that no withdrawals will be permitted in the first three years. Thereafter any requests for withdrawal will be at the discretion of the Management Committee, having regards to the long-term interests of the Society that needs to maintain prudent reserves, and the Society’s commitment to community benefit.

What are the risks?

The purchase of shares is at full risk and if the business fails, it is possible that you will never recover the full value of your share holding or may even lose it completely. Your liability as a member is limited to the value of your shares and nothing else. You cannot lose any more than the value of your shares.

In the event of liquidation, any excess value must be transferred to another community organisation having community benefit aims. The most you will receive is the value of your original investment. It should be noted that members of Community Benefit Societies do not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

For more information and to view the financial forecasts, please refer to our Business Plan.

APPLY HERE