What grants and funds are available when setting up a Community-owned shop?

The Plunkett Foundation manages the Village Core Programme which is a grant programme available to communities wishing to establish a Community-owned shop. The Village Core Programme consists of up to a £20,000 grant, which is matched by both a loan of equal value from Co-operative and Community Finance and by community matched fundraising. To find out more on the Village Core Programme click here.

It is very important to research what other funds and resources are available, both nationally and regionally. Visit our Useful Resources page on the website.

It is important to make contact with your local councils, including your Rural Community Council, as they will be able to signpost you to local sources of funding.

Grants and funding programmes are continually changing so routinely revisit websites to see if further funding has become available.