What is a Community Business?

Communities come together and set up community businesses to address challenges they face together. There are many types of community businesses. They can be shops, farms or wellbeing projects among many other types of business.

In order to be considered as a community business, your project or idea must fit the following criteria:

  • They are rooted in a particular geographical place and respond to local needs.
  • They trade for the benefit of the local people and profits are invested into the community.
  • They have broad community impact by engaging with different groups and address different needs.
  • Local people have an active role in how the business operates and help make decisions.
Community Tree

Case Studies

  • Bradford Community Repaint

    Published On: 23 November 2021

    Bradford Community RePaint has been operating in Bradford since 2001, collecting reusable household paint from household waste recycling centres. We became part of Bradford Organic Communities Service in 2004. In 2016 we moved to our new premises in Carlisle Business Centre in Manningham.

    Our aim is both to reduce paint waste, and to provide affordable quality […]

  • Mary Magdalene CIC

    Published On: 23 November 2021

    Mary Magdalene CIC was established in 2016. Community groups and individuals from all over Bradford and beyond are using the church as a place for learning, networking, volunteering and bringing people together to transform neighbourhoods and businesses. We are a community church delivering and facilitating a range of activities and services including Prison Mentoring for […]

  • Sharakat Project

    Published On: 23 November 2021

    The Sharakat Project is a community project based in St Paul’s Church, Manningham, Bradford.

    The Sharakat groups and activities help to reduce isolation and increase neighbourliness, by providing safe spaces for friendships to be built across cultural and faith boundaries.

    Our activities include English classes, help for Asylum seekers, Drop in Cafe for the hungry, cross cultural […]