Community businesses turn empty buildings into thriving hubs, creating local wealth and delivering services built on what people need.
The places and spaces which enable communities to come together are disappearing. Community business brings people closer together and gives communities a real say in how their neighbourhoods, high streets and shared assets are run.
How we will create community-powered places and spaces:
- Making the case: We will continue to explore ways to level the playing field for community businesses, contributing to the regeneration and transformation of their places. We will evidence their contribution to building connections and driving community cohesion, and investigate the role community ownership will play in our future economy.
- Testing models of ownership and stewardship: We will explore financial innovations to support community ownership, continue testing community business-led stewardship models on our high streets, and identify ways to support the leadership of community business in building social cohesion.
- Growing a movement for change: We will explore the partnerships needed between community and mainstream business, local authorities, and landowners to jointly shape the future of places and assets. We will convene the networks and relationships that enable people to connect and build collective power in their communities.
Our aim is for all communities to live and work in vibrant, resilient places, with the power to influence local decisions and enjoy spaces that bring them together.
To find out more and to talk about working together, please contact our Director of Policy and Insight, Nick Plumb.
Spotlight: Nudge Community Builders, Plymouth
On Union Street in Plymouth, Nudge Community Builders is showing how community business can transform a high street, even in a place where regeneration has long felt out of reach.
Founded by local residents in 2017, Nudge set out to bring new life to empty and underused buildings, not from top-down regeneration but through long-term community ownership. What began with small events to reconnect neighbours has grown into a sustained programme of acquisition and restoration, despite the financial, structural and policy barriers that too often stand in the way of community ownership.
Through community backing and flexible finance, Nudge has brought new uses to more than 4,000sqm of land, and helped revitalise 25% of derelict and empty buildings on Union street, creating space for independent businesses, creative enterprise and local activity.
The Plot, now home to multiple small businesses and a food court, has increased footfall and created new economic opportunities. More recently, the long-vacant Millennium building has been transformed for community use. Crucially, Nudge spends 96% of its income in Plymouth, ensuring the value created stays within the local economy.
Nudge demonstrates what happens when community business has the right conditions to thrive and succeed. Regeneration is enduring, wealth stays local, and community pride returns.
Current projects
Research and reports
Evidence on what works to revive our local spaces and reconnect our communities.
Briefing: The civic high street
The new high street playbook: Community-led innovation in action
Introducing the Shuttered Front: Revisiting the high street warning lights
News and views
Our latest thinking and updates on community-powered places and spaces.
Pride in place means councils sharing control
Making the civic high street a reality
Reimagining creative high street regeneration
Be inspired
Stories from communities breathing life back into their places and spaces.
Back on the Map
October Books
Star and Shadow Cinema
Discover
Community business can help unlock meaningful change on our high streets.