News Archive
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 […]
Celebrating 50 Years of Fourcorners: A Personal Reflection
Lending and Relationship Manager Kevin often gets out and about around the country, meeting prospective borrowers, partners and those we have already supported. Sometime he gets to celebrate with them… “I recently had the pleasure of attending the 50th anniversary celebration of Fourcorners, an organisation that has been a bold and unwavering force in socially […]
Housing co-op secures loan as residents prepare for change
A housing co-op in North Wales has obtained a loan package to refinance loan stock as members look to secure financial sustainability. Ty Brethyn Housing Co-operative is situated a short distance from Llangollen, a small market town by the River Dee in Denbighshire, Wales. The property consisting of a former Victorian Mill, several outbuildings and approximately 5 acres […]
Locals shape direction of village pub after community takeover from commercial brewery
Residents of Ickleton have taken their beloved pub into community ownership from its commercial brewery owners after raising loan finance and successful community share offer. The Lion at Ickleton (previously known as The Ickleton Lion and before that, The Red Lion) has been serving locals in the village of Ickleton, Cambridgeshire since 1728. After […]
£87.5m of dormant assets funneled into social investment by UK Government
Published on the 2nd June 2025, the UK Government’s new Dormant Assets Scheme Strategy commits £87.5 million to good causes across England. ‘Dormant Assets’ are pots of money from accounts or financial products from – e.g. – abandoned bank accounts and unclaimed pensions. When all efforts to contact the owners of the funds have been […]
Community secures further investment to complete rebuild of historic Grade II listed pub
A much-loved but previously fire damaged village pub has received additional funding to enable completion of ambitious restoration plans. A decade ago The George Community Pub in Wickham Market (situated in the River Deben Valley of Suffolk) was almost destroyed by fire kickstarting an inspiring journey of local volunteers coming together to save the historic […]
Legal Notice: Change of Registered Address
Please update your records: we have changed our address. As of May 14th 2025, the registered address for The Co-operative and Community Finance family of companies comprising ICOF Ltd ICO Fund plc ICOF Community Capital and the companies we manage on behalf of The Co-operative Loan Fund and Community Shares ICOF Ltd has changed FROM […]
Save the Date! Our AGM is coming soon.
Members, friends, supporters and interested parties – please save the date now for our 2025 AGM It will be held online at 1pm on Wednesday 18th June 2025. More info and papers to follow.