We are finalists!

Plunkett UK Rural Community Business Awards 2026.

We are delighted to announce that we are one of the three finalists of the 'One to Watch' award which is kindly sponsored by David Cadwallader & Co Ltd. This award celebrates community businesses that are not yet open and trading, but are on an exciting journey to create something special.

Sarah Benn, Relationships Team Leader at Plunkett UK, says, “It has been inspiring to see so many people nominate their local community-owned businesses, truly emphasising the significant role they play in their communities. We celebrate the considerable impact each one is making in its local area and we are looking forward to next month’s awards event when the winners are announced.”

Plunkett UK is a national charity which supports people in rural areas to set up and run a wide range of businesses in community ownership. It does this to achieve its UK-wide vision for resilient, thriving and inclusive rural communities.

There are more than 850 community-owned businesses across the UK, and each one is democratically owned by community members. They can be any type of business ranging from village shops, pubs and cafes, through to woodlands, fisheries and farms.

We look forward to celebrating with other community businesses at the awards ceremony held at Royal Society of Chemistry in London on Thursday 2 July, sponsored by Lands Improvement.