Communities are increasingly taking the reins and buying up local assets, from ferries to shopping centres, to run themselves, as a retreating state and big retailers leave a void. The potential for new funding could boost this grassroots movement even further.
Consider a typical scene in Bristol harbour where a child waves from a bridge and ducks scatter as a community-operated ferry sails by. The city’s vibrant buildings are mirrored in the rippling water, creating a striking contrast with the overcast sky above. The satisfaction of travelling by boat is amplified when the service is powered by the community itself and operated for its benefit.
“In the current global climate, having such community-driven initiatives is empowering,” notes Roshin Tobin-Brooke, co-director of Bristol Community Ferry Boats. “All our earnings are reinvested into this service, and we are committed to paying a living wage.”
Being on the water brings a sense of tranquillity that encourages commuters to engage with each other, something uncommon on buses or trains. These bright yellow and blue ferries have been a reliable transportation means around Bristol’s harbour since the 1970s. Though initially under private ownership, the service faced closure when the company folded in 2012. However, Bristol’s community came together to keep the iconic ferries running.
A public campaign to save the service and bring it under community ownership was launched. Close to 900 people participated in a share offer in 2013, enabling Bristol Community Ferry Boats to acquire and refurbish the vessels. Today, Bristol Community Ferry Boats is a thriving enterprise with six boats and 40 employees, including teachers, tattoo artists, and carpenters. It also provides consistent work for the city’s wooden boat builders, a trade listed on the UK’s endangered crafts list. Importantly, they also offer up to 20 free tours per year for those facing financial obstacles to accessing the harbour.
However, it’s not just about ferries. Other community-run businesses are flourishing too, thanks to a doubling in their numbers in England between 2015 and 2022, according to think tank Power to Change. For instance, in south-east London, residents transformed a littered strip of land near a railway line into a lush garden, now a green pocket in the concrete jungle. And across the UK, communities have saved over 217 pubs from shutting down.
Community businesses don’t stop at saving beloved pubs. Community spaces are being transformed for a multitude of uses, including dementia day care centres, foot clinics, art workshops, and social support programs. For example, the Haven Community Hub in Southend, Essex, now occupies a former department store and offers a range of services, from a foot clinic to art workshops.
Yet, securing financial support to acquire these local assets is often a significant challenge. The Scottish government has attempted to address this with the Scottish Land Fund, offering grants to help communities buy assets important to them. The UK Community Ownership Fund also offered support but unfortunately closed in 2024. However, the Labour government has launched a new scheme, Pride in Place, which allows communities to decide where investment is needed most in their neighbourhoods.
Today, community initiatives are redefining urban living, demonstrating the power of collective action and civic pride. From a high-performing wind turbine in Bristol to a revitalised community centre in Kilmarnock, communities are stepping up, taking control, and creating more vibrant, resilient spaces for all to enjoy.
