The Plunkett Foundation helps rural communities through community-ownership to take control of the issues affecting them.  The focus of our work is:

■ Helping rural communities to set up and run community-owned shops with a range of partner organisations.
■ Supporting rural communities to establish a wide range of other community-owned rural services.
■ Promoting and supporting the development of community food and farming enterprises across England through leading the Making Local Food Work programme and other community food and farming enterprises.
■ Advocating and raising awareness amongst policy makers, support organisations and rural communities themselves of the ability of rural communities to take control through community-ownership of the issues affecting them.

News from The Plunkett Foundation can be found on Facebook.

The Rural Shops Alliance is a national trade association working to support the owners of independent rural shops. We represent over 8,000 such businesses in the United Kingdom.

The objectives of the RSA are:

• To act as the national voice for rural retailers.
• To campaign on their behalf.
• To advise and help them to become more competitive, to the benefit of the communities that they serve.

Heath & Safety in the retail industry, including 'managing violence in licensed and retail premises'.

WiRE - UK networking and business club for rural women in business.

Making Local Food Work helps people to take ownership of their food and where it comes from by providing advice and support to community food enterprises across England. If you are involved in a community food enterprise or interested in starting one in your community, we may be able to help.

The Warwickshire Rural Hub is a business support organisation which is led by farm and rural businesses across Warwickshire and Solihull.  Established in October 2003 by a group of farmers who wanted to take control of their own destiny, the Hub has grown from strength to strength and now has a membership of over 1,000 businesses. Membership is free.

The Hub is recognised as an example of best practice for practical rural delivery – listening to the needs of rural businesses and responding to them.

•By facilitating and supporting the development of innovative and business-led commercial activities;
•By organising topical events and practical activities to improve business performance and stimulate business growth;
•By communicating Members’ needs to the Agencies and organisations that can help them;
•By providing an information signposting service for Members;
•By sharing experience and liaising with rural delivery networks across the country.

Department for Business, Innovation & Skills - support for rural businesses.