Support for Rural VCSE and Business
How Northants ACRE Can Help Rural Businesses
Northamptonshire ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) is a charity that supports rural businesses and communities across Northamptonshire. If you run a rural business, Northants ACRE offers a range of help, advice, and resources to help you grow and succeed.
Accessing Funding and Grants
Finding the right funding is key for many businesses. Northants ACRE helps rural businesses identify and apply for different types of funding, including:
- Business Grants: Financial support through government or local schemes.
- Community Funding: Grants for businesses that benefit local communities.
- Environmental Grants: Financial help for businesses looking to go green and become more sustainable.
Community-Owned Shops and Pubs
Rural communities often rely on local shops and pubs for essential services and a place to connect. Northants ACRE is committed to supporting community-owned shops and pubs, which are vital for rural areas to thrive.
- The Plunkett Foundation offers advice, support, and resources to help communities set up and run their own community shops and pubs. Whether you want to save a local shop or pub from closure or create a new community-led business, The Plunkett Foundation has the knowledge and tools to guide you through the process.
- Pub is the Hub is a not-for-profit organization that helps communities improve services and activities within their local pub. If you’re considering reopening, relocating, or offering new services in your local pub, or if you’re exploring the possibility of acquiring and managing a local pub, Pub is the Hub provides invaluable advice and guidance on what’s involved in running a community-owned pub.
Training and Skill Development
To stay competitive, rural businesses need to keep learning and adapting. Northants ACRE offers training sessions that cover important topics, such as:
- Marketing for Rural Businesses: How to reach more customers online and offline.
- Sustainable Practices: Ways to make your business more environmentally friendly.
- Customer Service and Community Engagement: Building strong relationships with customers and the local community.
Networking and Partnerships
Building connections with other businesses and local organisations can help you grow. Northants ACRE encourages networking and collaboration that bring together rural business owners, local leaders, and other key players. This can help you:
- Share knowledge and resources.
- Find new partnership opportunities.
- Strengthen your local economy.
Supporting Rural Advocacy
Northants ACRE doesn’t just help individual businesses—they also work on behalf of rural communities. They advocate for rural businesses by making sure the needs of rural areas are considered when new policies or government decisions are made. This ensures that businesses in rural areas have the support they need to thrive.
Help for Social Enterprises and Community Projects
Northants ACRE supports social enterprises and community projects. These are businesses or initiatives that focus on improving life in local communities. Whether you run a community shop or a cooperative, Northants ACRE can offer advice and resources to help ensure your project is a success.
Why Choose Northants ACRE?
By working with Northants ACRE, you’ll get:
- Access to expert advice to help your business grow.
- Support in applying for funding and grants.
- Opportunities to connect with other local businesses and organizations.
- An advocate who works to ensure the needs of rural businesses are heard.
If you run a rural business and want to expand, secure funding, or grow sustainably, Northants ACRE is here to help. Contact them today to see how they can support your business in Northamptonshire’s rural community.