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Along with many UK businesses we will be closed on the 2nd and 3rd June for the Spring and Platinum Bank holidays. We are sincerely hoping that the weather brightens up by then!

News round-up

Community saves The Bell Inn

We are thrilled that our ‘More Than a Pub’ finance package has helped the residents of Frisby on the Wreake purchase and refurbish The Bell Inn, creating a pub owned and protected for future generations by the community.

As the only remaining pub in Frisby on the Wreake in the Valley of Leicestershire, owners of The Bell Inn approached local parish councillors when the pub closed in April 2021. Following a village meeting exploring the option of purchasing the community asset, a community share offer was launched which ultimately raised an impressive £302,000.

Until 29 May, local groups that deliver a project that benefits communities can apply to be a Co-op Local Community Fund partner

Successful applicants will partner with Co-op for 12 months and you’ll get a minimum of £1,000 to support your project.

Read more about eligibility and how to apply here

Community Shares Booster Programme relaunches in England

We are incredibly proud to be involved in the Community Shares Booster Fund which relaunched on the 18th May 2022.

This fund supports new and existing community businesses in England that are at all stages of a community share issue with development grants, matched equity up to £25k and where relevant business development support available.

Find out more here

Commercial Retrofitting - new EPC rules coming

With new rules around energy performance certificates for commercial buildings coming into force from 2025, a guide to commercial retrofit has been published.

Read more about how this will roll out and what you might need to think about here

Social Investment - Future Needs survey

The Social Investment Forum (SIF) is undertaking a piece of research to develop our sector’s understanding of the current and future needs of the social economy

This is YOUR CHANCE to help them understand what YOU need an should take no more than 5/10 minutes.

Complete the survey here.

Hot off the press

Here are a few news stories that have caught our eye recently

🏡 There's a great article here featuring Zoe Sharratt of Gateshead Council discuss How We Did It: transferring assets to communities

📑 The Community Business Fund (CBF), funded by Power to Change from 2016 to 2021 has been evaluated and found to be a successful programme

🪑 The Architectural Heritage Fund are looking for a new Chair.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 A new direction for the Wales Co-op Centre

📅 Events round up

🤝The biggest event of the Co-ops year is coming - we will be at Congress on the 17th and 18th June - will we see you there?

💷 The Fair Tax Week Conference on the 9th June will look at why fair tax matters for business

🎪The Stir To Action Playground for the New Economy Festival is back in Devon on the 12-14 July. Expect three days of panels, workshops, open space, virtual reality experiences, sustainable food, and live music

☀️ Discover community energy in action on the 12th June with a guided tour of Westmill Wind Farm and Solar Park on the Oxfordshire/Wiltshire border

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Co-operative & Community Finance
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