Business leaders in Bristol will today announce that Bristol has become the UK’s first social enterprise city alongside Plymouth, putting the South West at the forefront of the UK’s growing social enterprise movement.
The unveiling is part of a Social Enterprise Places scheme being run by Social Enterprise UK. Towns, cities and zones across the UK are declaring themselves as social enterprise places with the backing of the campaigns and membership organisation.
Two more places have launched their bids to achieve social enterprise town status and more are expected to do so later in the year.
Gareth Hart, Chair of Plymouth Social Enterprise Network, said:
“This is fantastic news for Plymouth. This award is recognition for the hard of work of the scores of social enterprises in the city and those who support them. We have a diverse range of social enterprises in the city including massive businesses like Plymouth University and Plymouth Community Healthcare, but we also host large numbers of smaller but no less valued companies. We are showing people what can happen when economic power is in the hands of the people. What’s happening in Plymouth can happen right across the country. This bold, imaginative approach can change the way we think about economic development in towns, cities and regions.”
Peter Holbrook, Social Enterprise UK’s Chief Executive, said:
“Continued austerity is dismantling communities and local amenities, deepening the UK’s social problems and leaving many people out in the cold. Social enterprise cities are taking matters into their own hands, re-injecting life into their local area and protecting local economies using social enterprise.
“Bristol and Plymouth are prime examples of what enterprising communities can achieve in times of hardship. We hope to see many more towns and cities celebrate their social enterprise status.”
Social Enterprise Places
The Social Enterprise Cities project is part of a bigger Social Enterprise Places project being run as a pilot by Social Enterprise UK. In order to be certified as a social enterprise city a number of criteria must be met, committing the town to promoting the social enterprise message, and encouraging local people and local businesses to buy from social enterprises. Social Enterprise Cities registered with Social Enterprise UK receive a badge to mark their status.
To nominate a town, city or region as a social enterprise place, please email [email protected]
