Rural Community Shops (formerly ViRSA)

The Plunkett Foundation supports rural communities wanting to set up and run a community-owned shop. We provide practical assistance through this website, a network of community retail advisers, a national office and various publications.

Berrynarbor Community Shop and Post Office, Devon

Community ownership is often the only viable option for villages wishing to retain or introduce a local shop. The Plunkett Foundation is dedicated to supporting villages wishing to provide this service.

The Plunkett Foundation's expertise around community-owned shops is also used to carry out research and development projects on behalf of government and other organisations.

Rural Community Shops News:

Further support for rural communities looking to set up and run a community-owned shop is now available following the announcement from the Plunkett Foundation that the pioneering Village CORE Programme...
26 Jun 2009
Rural Retailer is a quarterly newsletter with detailed advice for village shops. The publication covers a variety of issues, ranging from shop signage and opening hours to the latest regulations. This is...
24 Jun 2009
Around 250 priced publications that contain official health and safety advice and guidance will be available in PDF format from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) web site at no...
24 Jun 2009

Rural Community Shops Film - Tackley 'All-in-One' Centre, Oxfordshire 

Below is one of two inspiring new films produced by the Plunkett Foundation.  Focusing on our work with supporting community-owned shops, the film features Tackley 'All-in-One' Centre in Oxfordshire, one of over 180 community-owned shops in the UK.  Feel inspired?  Now it's your turn!

Please note that the film takes a few moments to begin.

Further support for rural communities looking to set up and...
26 Jun 2009