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A new guide for anyone involved in the creation of an enterprise that will be owned by, run by, and supported by the community in which it operates has been published.

The guide – Simply Start Up – was written by Co-operatives UK and Plunkett Foundation as part of the Making Local Food Work programme and uses community food enterprises as examples of what is possible through co-operation, although the guidance applies to a vast range of community enterprises, from taking over a local shop, starting a community-owned and run newspaper or cinema, to building a community-owned windfarm.

Providing an easy to read overview of the start-up process for co-operative or community enterprises, the guide gives details of useful resources such as publications and websites, along with case studies, and signposts to people and organizations that can also help.

Plunkett Foundation’s Richard Snow, co-author of the report, said: “The guide is filled with inspirational examples to show what is really possible when communities work together. It provides the practical information that communities need when they are starting out, in order to help them become a robust and sustainable enterprise.”

The publication is the final in a suite of Simply guides published by Co-operatives UK as part of the Making Local Food Work, which cover the legal, financial and governance aspects of community enterprises, as well as online tools to help enterprises choose which structure is best for them. To find out more about the Simply Suite, visit http://www.uk.coop/simplystartup.

Pictured above (l-r) is Co-operatives UK's Chief Executive Ed Mayo and Plunkett Foundation's Richard Snow at the launch of the publication.

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