Community-Owned Growth - A New Era for Businesses
Ever noticed how the concept of ownership has been evolving, especially in the last few years?
Community-owned businesses are emerging stronger than ever, and there's never been a better time to think about how we can manage and grow our own communities—whether for business, personal goals, or for the greater good. At Odd Circles, we believe in the power of communities, and that’s why our platform is designed to help you take your community to the next level.
A recent report from Plunkett UK, a charity supporting rural community businesses, reveals that 32 new community-owned organisations opened their doors in 2023. That’s a 4% rise from the previous year, bringing the total number of community-owned businesses across the UK to 787. Imagine, in just 10 years, over 350 new community-driven businesses have sprouted up. This isn’t just a trend; it’s a movement.
At Odd Circles, we’re here to help you become part of this movement. Whether you're running a community-driven pub, shop, café, or even a multifunctional space like Focus Easington in County Durham—our platform is tailored to support your vision.
Why Communities Are Thriving
Let’s take a moment to reflect on this: community-owned businesses have a five-year survival rate of 99%, which is more than double the survival rate for small and medium-sized enterprises (44%). Over 20 years, 92% of these businesses are still thriving. Why? It’s simple: communities rally around their own.
At Odd Circles, we’ve witnessed this power firsthand. Communities are the backbone of every thriving initiative, and that’s why our platform is built to foster connectivity, collaboration, and growth. We make it easy for you to manage your community, whether you’re looking to grow your business, achieve personal goals, or contribute to the greater good.
Real Stories, Real Impact
Take Focus Easington, a hub in County Durham that transformed a chapel on the verge of closure into a multifunctional community space.
This wasn’t just about saving a building; it was about creating a space for employability sessions, health services, youth activities, and even a community-owned launderette. With Odd Circles, managing a project like this would be streamlined.
From coordinating volunteers to fundraising and offering local services, we’ve got the tools you need to keep your vision alive.
Or consider Menter y Glan Ltd, a pub in Powys, Wales, that took home Plunkett’s 2023 Rural Community Business Award for Community Food and Local Supply.
They’ve embraced the farm-to-fork model, serving locally sourced food and drink from over 40 suppliers. Their secret? Connecting people not only with their food but with their community.
At Odd Circles, we help you weave such stories into the fabric of your own community, encouraging people to be part of something bigger.
Building for the Future
At Odd Circles, we understand the challenges of growing a community—whether it’s starting something new or keeping an established group thriving. In 2023, Plunkett UK helped 260 community businesses through 606 days of one-on-one support. Just like Plunkett, we’re here to ensure you have the right tools, advice, and connections to succeed.
And if you’re wondering about funding—just like the £2.9m raised by rural communities through community shares—our platform can help you manage your resources and track your growth, all while keeping your members engaged.
Why Odd Circles?
We’ve all seen it—the pandemic has changed how we connect, how we run businesses, and how we create meaningful change in our local environments.
Odd Circles was created to help individuals and organisations manage and grow their communities with ease. Whether you’re opening a new business, or aiming to create a multifunctional community space, our platform gives you the tools to do just that.
With Odd Circles, you’re not just getting software; you’re joining a community. Our tools help you manage day-to-day operations, keep your members engaged, and ensure long-term sustainability.
So, why not give Odd Circles a try? Whether you're looking to manage your business, achieve personal milestones, or drive change in your community, we're here to help. Join us today, and let’s build something extraordinary together.
In this article: community business, community ownership, Odd Circles, growth, rural businesses, Plunkett UK.