News Archive
Residents invest in community pub with additional funding package
A community pub has secured additional loan finance and investment for growth ensuring protection and ownership for future generations. In 2021 The Bell Inn pub in Frisby on the Wreake (situated on the Upper Wreake Valley of Leicestershire) had closed its doors as the village’s only remaining pub. The community worked quickly and proactively in […]
It’s all happening in Glasgow!
Co-operative development specialist, our Board member and Glasgow resident Jaye Martin has been busy lately! “As a proud Glasgow resident, I was so happy that not one, but two, major events in the co-op sector’s calendar were held in the dear green place this month. The Democratic Business Summit, organised by the Centre for Democratic Business, […]
Introducing our New Director, Gareth Nash
We’re delighted to welcome Gareth Nash to our Board of Directors. We spoke to him recently about his three plus decades of experience in co-operative development and finance, and why the time was right to join us. “I’ve always been interested in democratic forms of organisation. I remember walking past a co-operative development agency when […]
Introducing our new Director, Mark Simmonds
We’re pleased to announce, during trustees Week, that experienced co-operator Mark Simmonds, founder of Co-op Culture, has joined our Board of Directors. We spoke to Mark recently about his co-operative journey, and why he’s joined us. “While I’m involved in a number of organisations, at the moment, I mainly deliver my work through Co-op Culture. […]
Introducing our new Director, Dan Kelly
We’re pleased to share that Dan Kelly, was elected to our Board at our AGM this year. Here, for Trustees, Week, we speak to Dan about his co-operative journey, and why he’s joined us. “Like a lot of people in this sector, I do about five jobs. Being fundraising and development coordinator for Two Queens, […]
Loan finance secured as family and friends work together to establish sustainable living housing co-op
A group of family and friends have come together to purchase a property and create an intergenerational housing co-op built on environmental sustainability and co-operative values. In 2024, husband and wife Graham Turner and Kyra Pollitt set up Big Step Housing Co-operative alongside daughter Edie, her partner Spring and their friends Caitlin and Dan. The plan […]
The 2025 Co-operative and Mutual Economy Report is out!
Last week, on Tuesday 23 September, Co-operatives UK released the 2025 Co-operative and Mutual Economy Report, revealing a record-breaking year for the UK’s co-operative and mutual economy. The CCF team said: “As an organisation that has been supporting cooperatives for over 50 years, we are incredibly proud to see the power, breadth and strength of […]
Viral ‘Gen Z’ TikTok video helps residents secure funding to buy community pub
A village inn steeped in local heritage has been purchased by the community with help from a creative social media campaign, a passionate community investment effort, and a loan finance package. Located in Langton Herring, Dorset, The Elm Tree Inn has served its villagers and wider community since the 18th century. Situated near Fleet Lagoon […]
Advice charity and funders join forces to help local community businesses tackle energy bills and climate change
A new service to help charities and community businesses tackle climate change and lower their energy bills has been announced, bringing together the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), a national energy advice charity, and the Energy Resilience Fund of which we are a partner. The new service aims to provide free, specialist support for organisations […]
Help shape the future of community shares standards
Co-operatives UK are reviewing the impact of the community shares Standard Mark to inform the next phase of their standards work. Over the past decade, the Standard Mark has become a vital part of the UK’s community shares market. Launched in 2015 by the Community Shares Unit (CSU), it acts as a national ‘kitemark’ for […]