A graphic to promote a blog. Atop a green background is text: 'Blog: A genuine desire to work together' Features a picture of our Head of Partnerships, Gemma Sills and Partnerships Manager, Hannah Barrett holding up a Plunkett UK sign so Co-operatives amongst co-operatives

In our latest blog, Gemma Sills, Head of Partnerships, reflects on attending the 2026 Co-op Retail Conference, hosted by Co-operatives UK, and held in Glasgow last month.

plunkett.co.uk/a-genuine-desire-to-work...

A green background with a statement in multi colours with icons of a pub, coffee mug and a beer glass The statement says: 'STAND TOGETHER TO SAVE PLACES TO MEET'

Together, we can protect the places where people come together 🤝

Your donations help us to support rural communities set up and run hospitality businesses that bring people together.

Donate today > https://plunkett.co.uk/save-rural-hospitality/

#SaveRuralHospitality

Together we can save rural hospitality. 

Help Plunkett to meet the growing demand from rural hospitality when our support is needed most. 🚨

Find out more about our appeal and how to donate > https://plunkett.co.uk/save-rural-hospitality/

#SaveRuralHospitality

A graphic to promote an event. Green background with the Plunkett UK logo and Diageo logo in white. Below in text says: 'Blog: Supporting Hospitality Through Headwinds' On the right is a picture of people talking in a pub.

Supporting hospitality through headwinds 💨
 
In our latest blog, Elisabeth Rochford explains Diageo’s partnership with Plunkett to help communities safeguard local hospitality. 🚨

Read the full blog here > plunkett.co.uk/supporting-hospitality-t...

Plunkett UK E-News banner; group hold signs to save rural hospitality. Atop a red background is the Plunkett UK logo in white and text that says: 'E-news: March 26'

Catch up on all the latest news from March! 🗞️

It’s been an incredibly busy month, marked by two major launches.

Read the full update here > mailchi.mp/plunkett.co.uk/e-newslet...

#RCBAwards2026 #SaveRuralHospitality

Save the catch-up over coffee - bold black writing on a brown background. Red cup coffee icon on the 'o' of coffee.

Those everyday catch‑ups over coffee matter. ☕️

Plunkett already supports 360+ community hospitality groups, but many face real pressure to stay open.

With a pub closing each day, community ownership is vital. Support our work; donate to our Crowdfunder:
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/saveruralh...

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

“None of the 300 Communities Are Here”: Cornwall Calls Out Missed Rural Support

At Anthropy 2026, Plunkett UK and Cornwall campaigners urged the government to deliver stronger backing for rural communities.

👉 plunkett.co.uk/cornwall-calls-out-gover...

This time tomorrow...🔜

#SaveRuralHospitality

Coming soon...

Keep an eye on our social media and website this time next week. 👀

Plunkett’s #RCBAwards returns for another year! 🤩

Nominations are now open for our 2026 Rural Community Business Awards, sponsored by Lands Improvement. 

Nominate your community business - just remember, nominees must be Plunkett members.

➡️ https://plunkett.co.uk/our-annual-awards-returns/

Graphic to promote a news piece Atop a green background is the Plunkett UK in white and text below that says: 'News: The role of rural in devolution discussed in Parliament' A picture of a sign saying 'Tafarn y Fic and countryside in the background'

Gordon Hector, Trustee of Plunkett, gave evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rural Business & the Rural Powerhouse on Tuesday for their inquiry: ‘How does rural fit into the devolution agenda?’

➡️ plunkett.co.uk/the-role-of-rural-in-dev...

A graphic to promote a blog Atop a green background is the Plunkett UK logo in white and below is text: 'Blog: Community-Washing and the Lessobs from Brewdog' Features a photo of a red neon sign saying BREWDOG

Community-Washing & the Lessons from BrewDog

In this blog, Alex Begg, a Trustee at Plunkett UK, reflects on the demise of the multinational brewery & pub chain – & explains why community ownership matters more than ever. 🌟

➡️ plunkett.co.uk/community-washing-and-th...

@plunkettuk.bsky.social are key delivery partner of the Scottish Rural Network.

They host and deliver the Scottish Rural and Island Community Pub Network. Funded by SRN, the initiative supports community organisations seeking to develop or take ownership of a local pub within their own community.

Red background featuring a picture of a group of people stood outside a pub The Plunkett UK logo features in white and text below: 'E-news, February 26'

February’s update from Plunkett UK. 🗞️

This month, our focus has been on championing rural hospitality - highlighting the challenges these businesses face while showcasing the effectiveness and impact of community ownership. 

➡️ mailchi.mp/plunkett.co.uk/e-newslet...

Graphic to promote a Plunkett UK vacancy Plunkett UK logo in white Below is text: 'We're Hiring: Policy Manager' A set of icons displaying a rural scenes below

We’re hiring! 📣

We are looking for a Policy Manager to lead our policy & public affairs work, ensuring rural #combiz have a strong voice in local, regional and national decision making.

Find out more about the role and how to apply > https://plunkett.co.uk/job-vacancy-policy-manager/

A graphic to promote a news piece that features the Southern Co-op and Plunkett UK logos in the top right corner Below is green text: "Social impact of community businesses on partnership visit to Hampshire"

The significant social benefits of rural community businesses shone through during a joint visit by Plunkett UK and Southern Co-op to Hampshire earlier this month. 🤝

Discover more about the visits in our latest news piece 👉 plunkett.co.uk/social-impact-community-...

A green background with white text: 'Blog: Reversing rural decline through community ownership' Then a picture of the community standing outside Titchmarsh Village Shop

Our latest blog explores the growing impact of #combiz in protecting vital local services. 🌟

Drawing on insights from both our Impact Report & #FORR, we highlight how community businesses safeguard access to services by being “more than”.
 
https://plunkett.co.uk/reversing-rural-decline/

If you have not done so already, we strongly encourage you to respond directly to the Government’s call for evidence with your own experiences, evidence, and recommendations.

Submit your response by midnight tomorrow (18 February) 👇

www.gov.uk/government/c...

A graphic to promote a blog Atop a green background is the Plunkett UK logo in white, below is text: 'Blog: How a community saved its pub and restored its social anchor' Below the text is an icon of a community pub Next to the text is a picture of a group of diverse people outside of the Kenmuir Arms

How a community saved its pub and restored its social anchor 🙌

In his final edition of his Scottish Comms tour, Communications Officer, Michael Wolverson, tells the story of the award-winning Kenmuir Arms.

Read more ➡️ plunkett.co.uk/how-a-community-restored...

A speech icon containing a quote which says: "While Plunkett welcomes any investment in community empowerment, we remain disappointed that rural communities continue to be overlooked." Pointing at a picture of James Alcock, Chief Executive of Plunkett UK

More is needed for rural areas 📣

Last week, the PM announced an additional £800 million for the Pride in Place programme

"While we welcome investment in community needs, we remain disappointed that rural areas continue to be overlooked." - James Alcock, Chief Executive, Plunkett UK. 🗣️

Green background that features the Plunkett UK logo in the top right corner Below on the right is a picture of a community conversing outside a community pub On the left is text: 'News: Members shape response to government consultation'

Members shape response to government consultation 🗣️

Our updated policy paper sets out what rural community businesses need to grow. 📈

Have your say by 18 Feb. Read more & our full response below. 👇

plunkett.co.uk/members-shape-response-t...

Government pub support package falls short and leaves rural communities exposed Plunkett UK has expressed disappointment at the government’s announcement of a 15% discount on pubs’ business rates bills from April.

Community-owned pubs are keeping rural places alive – but @plunkettuk.bsky.social warns the government’s new business rates discount won’t address the pressures they face. Plunkett is calling for more ambitious, long-term support for community ownership.

➡️ plunkett.co.uk/government-p...

Time to have your say! 🗣️

We are encouraging members to respond to a new UK Government consultation on business support for co-operatives - including rural #combiz

Respond by Wednesday 18 February 2026.

 plunkett.co.uk/government-consultation-...

A large group of people stand happily outside The Punch Bowl pub, now a community-owned establishment, with Plunkett UK E-News January 26 branding on the side.

Our first newsletter of 2026…🗞️

With January finally behind us, we hope the year has begun positively and productively for you. It’s certainly been a busy start here at Plunkett UK.

Catch up on all the latest news from January ➡️ mailchi.mp/plunkett.co.uk/e-newslet...

A graphic to promote a blog Atop a green background is an image of two women talking in a cafe The graphic also features the Plunkett UK logo in white and text that says: 'Blog: Restoring a sense of connection'

Restoring a sense of connection 🌟

After more than 2 years without a village shop, the people of Downderry have brought it back to life.

Check out our latest blog to see how they came together to open the shop, with support from Plunkett. 🤝

➡️ https://plunkett.co.uk/restoring-a-sense-of-connection/

Graphic of a quote pointing of a picture of James Alcock, Chief Executive of Plunkett UK Quote says: “Fifteen per cent discounts might make a headline, but it won’t save the pubs that are already on the brink. Community‑owned pubs have been rescued once by local people – they shouldn’t be left to fight for survival all over again.”

Government support package leaves rural communities exposed

Plunkett has expressed disappointment following the government’s announcement of a 15% business rates discount for pubs from April.

➡️ plunkett.co.uk/government-pub-support-p...

CWR Breakfast with Phil Upton - JD sits in (12/01/2026) - BBC Sounds Waking you up with a smile, local news, your stories and the music you love.

Paul Jennings from The Fox at Loxley featured on BBC CWR to discuss the challenges on pubs. 📻

Paul points to our Better Business report, saying it “contains what can be done to make sure we keep the heart of rural life alive.”

Scroll to 1hr 22mins

In a white speech icon is green text that says: "Our submission draws on evidence from over 850 community businesses, and demonstrates how Plunkett and its growing network of rural community businesses can contribute to key Government priorities. "We would welcome the opportunity to engage with further on proposals and support the development of more effective, rural-proofed policy solutions.” Points at a picture of James Alcock CEO of Plunkett UK

Recently, we submitted our policy recommendations on tackling rural deprivation to the Labour Rural Research Group FOR its call for evidence for an upcoming report on rural poverty.

Read the full response: plunkett.co.uk/tackling-deprivation-in-...

Government consultation: co-operative business support Plunkett is encouraging members to respond to a UK Government consultation on business support for co-operatives and non-financial mutuals.

Help shape future support for the #Combiz sector 📈

We are encouraging members to respond to a new UK Government consultation on business support for co-operatives - including rural #combiz

Find out more 👇