Community businesses across England are showing what’s possible, but the economy is not delivering for all.
Income inequality, wealth inequality and poverty are widespread and growing. Community businesses put economic power directly into the hands of communities. They are central to thriving local and regional economies as they create, own, share and reinvest wealth locally.
How we will grow community-led local economies:
- Making the case: Community businesses are serious economic actors, contributing over £5billion GVA annually while also addressing social and environmental challenges. We will continue to build the case for community-led economic development as core to the national and regional growth agendas. This will include exploring the role community businesses play in providing employment pathways.
- Growing regional impact: We will challenge and support regional and local authorities to scale up the role of community business in their policies, strategies, investments and practice, developing regional approaches that embed community businesses and the social economy in economic development.
- Building a movement for change: We will convene leaders, funders, thinkers and community businesses to build a stronger coalition for community economic power. Through this movement, we will unlock new capital and accelerate models that put economic power into the hands of communities.
Through this work, we will aim to make community business a common-sense approach to economic development.
To find out more and to talk about working together, contact our Associate Director of Practice and Innovation, Shaheen Warren.
Spotlight: Future Yard, Birkenhead
In Birkenhead, community business is making economic impact. Future Yard is a community-owned music venue building a new cultural future for Birkenhead. Employing 61 people and running creative training pathways, including supporting 150+ young people a year to build skills in the music industry, it keeps income local, reinvesting for the community’s benefit.
As part of Argyle Independent Quarter, Future Yard has contributed to a collective overall investment of £11.8million in the area over the past five years. And when communities have ownership, regeneration is rooted and sustainable.
Future Yard has ambitions to build a new, 600-capacity venue and studio complex. This will enable them to deliver 200 additional shows annually – a 50-100% increase in live audiences which will bring footfall and spending to the area. This expansion will unlock income, opportunities, and skills for local people for generations to come.
Future Yard shows the potential of community businesses to generate economic impact if only the right conditions, access to assets and strategic backing, are in place.
Some of our current projects
Developing the Regional Social Economy
We work in partnership with regional and combined authorities to understand the unique needs of their local social economy and community businesses. We’ve worked with community businesses to shape the development of social investment funds and growth strategies in places like Liverpool City Region, North East and the West Midlands.
Research and reports
Evidencing the contribution of community businesses to thriving local, regional, and national economies.
Lessons in local growth
The economic contribution of community business
The community business market in 2024
News and views
Our latest thinking on growing community-led local economies.
From legislation to lasting change
Finance that serves communities, not just markets
Why the new Office for the Impact Economy matters — and what it means for community business
Get inspired
Stories of community businesses putting economic power directly into the hands of communities.
Café Laziz
Sister Midnight
