Want to explore how rural enterprise and regeneration can shape thriving communities? Join us at the National Rural Conference for our Rural Economy & Regeneration session on Monday 15 September 2025.
T: 01822 851370 E: [email protected]
The National Rural Conference 2025
Bookings are now officially open for the National Rural Conference 2025, which will take place online from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 September.
This is the Rural Services Network’s flagship event of the year, bringing together rural decision-makers, practitioners, and advocates for four days of live, interactive sessions focused on the future of rural communities.
Click here to book!
04.08.2025
Community Power at the Heart of New Rural Development
A trailblazing community business in West Sussex is demonstrating how local enterprise can help shape inclusive, resilient places — right from the start of a new development.
The Woodgate Community Shop, which opened in May 2024, is the first of its kind to be established as part of a new-build housing development. It sits within the Woodgate Hub, which includes a café, meeting rooms and St Catherine’s Hospice, at the centre of a new community delivered by Thakeham and Abri.
What makes the project stand out is the way it has put local people in charge from the outset. Residents were involved in early consultation, helped form a steering group, and raised start-up funds through a community share offer. The shop is now run by staff and volunteers, with key decisions made by a local committee. Any profits are reinvested for community benefit.
Supported by national charity Plunkett UK, the shop is more than a place to pick up essentials. It serves as a welcoming social space, a hub for local events, and a showcase for local suppliers. It has also created new jobs and work experience opportunities in the area.
“Running our shop as a community business isn’t the easiest option,” said Stuart Wain, Chair of the Shop Committee. “But it brings the community together and creates the shop we want as local residents. Everything you see in the shop today is there because of community demand.”
Plunkett, which supports community-owned businesses across the UK, sees Woodgate as a replicable model for other rural developments. It is actively seeking similar partnerships with developers committed to building not just homes, but vibrant communities.
The RSN is proud to highlight the value of initiatives like Woodgate, where new housing is complemented by accessible, community-run services that meet local needs.
Read more about this initiative here
