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platformplaces.bsky.social
Platform Places
@platformplaces.bsky.social
Unlocking town centre buildings for amazing ideas 🔑

Co-founding partners: High Streets Task Force, Power to Change, British Property Federation, New Local, Radix, Shoosmiths

https://www.platformplaces.com/
🔔 From grassroots to government, the message is clear: communities should lead the revival of high street property & councils are key enablers 🔑

CPOs are one possible lever, but we know a growing number of developers & landlords working *with* communities to activate assets for social impact.
Buy up empty shops for community use, councils urged
Steve Reed, the communities secretary, has told local authorities to use compulsory purchase powers to revive and repurpose vacant high street properties
www.thetimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:43 PM
✨ Geographical clusters of socially-trading organisations = greater impact ✨

@kindredlcr.bsky.social's figures speak for themselves. 70% job growth. 420K people supported.

Social investment is powering real change in Liverpool CR. And unlocking buildings, with a place-based approach, is key 🔑
Most importantly, STOs have also enabled mobility and flexibility in the jobs they safeguard, by increasing existing staff’s hours from part-time to full-time, leading to higher wages and greater stability.⁠
February 6, 2026 at 10:27 AM
What shifts when communities own multiple buildings — not just one? 🏘️

“Scaling brings resilience,” says Angie Wright (b inspired, Braunstone). “It brings deeper impact, with an interconnected network of spaces that support each other.”

Explore our new article for #StirToAction ⬇️
How community property portfolios build local power & wealth
Platform Places: Community property portfolios
www.stirtoaction.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:33 AM
"We’ve come together with a deep focus on care and cultural equity, decentralising power and financial flow" - Kisha Bradley, Brightbox

It's not just about bricks and mortar 🧱

Transforming buildings for local benefit is about who's at the table, and how you're working together 🍲

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February 4, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Reposted by Platform Places
It's captured in our most popular e-resource, co-created by the asset owners & socially-trading organisation leaders behind #PlatformPlaces:

🔸Principles for working together

🔸Template Heads of Terms for a social impact agreement, drafted by Shoosmiths
April 24, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Last year we spotlighted Mayday Saxonvale's inspirational story, when they secured the sale from Somerset Council after a five-year effort: www.platformplaces.com/inspiration/...

Now they've secured £1.2M and are launching a community share offer to take the next steps ✨

Find out more ⬇️
February 3, 2026 at 1:01 PM
"For property owners, this means thinking beyond yield and asset appreciation," writes our non-exec director and ambassador Ion Fletcher (British Property Federation).

"It means understanding that long-term value depends on local trust, on places people are proud to live and work in."

Read more ⬇️
Pride in Place: Why property owners should lean into the UK’s new community agenda
British Property Federation Group - Pride in Place: Why property owners should lean into the UK’s new community agenda
bpf.org.uk
January 23, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Around the UK, communities are reviving historic buildings for social, cultural & community uses, often with climate benefits.

Our friends @archhfund.org.uk have supported this for ⭐ 50 yrs ⭐ & we're delighted to see UK Gov' recognise the importance of this work.

#AHFF50 @memckeague.bsky.social
Government announces bumper £1.5 billion package to restore national pride
£1.5 billion will be invested in cultural organisations over a five-year period – turning the corner on underfunding over the last decade and more
www.gov.uk
January 22, 2026 at 3:15 PM
⏰ Application Deadline: 4th February ⏰

Are you an organised, community-minded person who loves making things happen?

Are you connected to Bedminster, Bristol, with a passion for community-led property?

Join #BedminsterWorks as a Programme Coordinator: bedminsterworks.co.uk/news-and-ins...
Join the Team: We’re Hiring a Programme Coordinator - Bedminster Works
Are you an organised, community-minded person who loves making things happen? Bedminster Works is looking for a Programme Coordinator to help us move from strategy into practical action as we work to ...
bedminsterworks.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 12:21 PM
"I think it’s now fair to call it a movement, or - maybe better - a field of civic renewal."

Thanks for the mention @jamestplunkett.bsky.social @samfr.bsky.social alongside some amazing demonstrators, advocates, programmes & campaigners in the ecosystem of locally-led neighbourhood transformation.
New post just out:

"Power to the People"

Today we have a guest post from @jamestplunkett.bsky.social on how Labour can counter the "Britain is Broken" narrative by investing in civic life and giving people more control over their community.

(Free to read)

open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/p...
Power to the People
How Labour can restore civic life and counter the "Britain is broken" narrative
open.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Reposted by Platform Places
📍 Do you have vacant space for a community organisation? Or introductions and support for funding? 🗺️

Check out our latest round of matchmaking requests from the #PlatformPlaces network ⤵️

For an intro, please send us a private message here or on our webform: platformplaces.com/contact
January 18, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Reposted by Platform Places
Who's leading the revitalisation of our high streets? 👀

Across England, pioneers like Nudge Community Builders are showing the way 🌱

Great to see them recognised in the Guardian, with @powertochange.org.uk's research showing deep connection between decline of social infrastructure & polarisation.
January 15, 2026 at 10:58 AM
📍 Do you have vacant space for a community organisation? Or introductions and support for funding? 🗺️

Check out our latest round of matchmaking requests from the #PlatformPlaces network ⤵️

For an intro, please send us a private message here or on our webform: platformplaces.com/contact
January 18, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Are you passionate about community-led development and transforming spaces into useful, affordable and welcoming places?

Want to help shape the future of community buildings in Byker and surrounding areas in Newcastle?

📢 Join the Board of Directors of a new CIC 📢

1/ 🧵
January 16, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Who's leading the revitalisation of our high streets? 👀

Across England, pioneers like Nudge Community Builders are showing the way 🌱

Great to see them recognised in the Guardian, with @powertochange.org.uk's research showing deep connection between decline of social infrastructure & polarisation.
January 15, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Reposted by Platform Places
Interesting research that largely mirrors our findings last year in 'Shuttered front'. We found that Reform overperformed in local elections in places suffering high street decline.

Read the breakdown: www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...
And the report: www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...
January 14, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by Platform Places
#CommunityBusinessWeek, so we're spotlighting innovative thinkers in our recent essay collection:
💡Bex (@platformplaces.bsky.social) has a vision for how community-led spaces can transform neighbourhoods, her essay looks at what it will take, and what's up for grabs if we get there.
buff.ly/DYqnRzw
December 2, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Reposted by Platform Places
As we come to the end of our 10th year, we're looking to a future that's community-led - where community businesses build economies that work for people & planet & support people to make connections in a community they can rely on.
📺 Our new film brings this ambition to life: bit.ly/44BfuSi
Celebrating ten years backing community business | Power to Change
We know community business works to create thriving places. We have seen and evidenced it over the last decade. We also know there is so much more they can do. This year we have been reflecting, celebrating, and looking to the future. With the right conditions, community businesses can help build an economy that works for people and the planet, give communities a greater say in the decisions that affect them, and support people to make meaningful connections within a community they can rely on. 📺Explore more from our campaign: https://www.powertochange.org.uk/celebrating-ten-years/ 🌟Special thanks to our community business contributors and their teams and community members for being part of this short film: Deana Bamford and Ian Wilson, Coalville C.A.N. https://coalvillecan.coop/pages/about-coalville-can Afzal Hussain, Witton Lodge, Birmingham: https://www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and-ideas/case-studies/witton-lodge-community-association/ Jane & Brian Dawe, SAFE Regeneration, Bootle: https://www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and-ideas/news-and-events/safe-regeneration/ Craig Pennington and Christopher Torpey, Future Yard, Liverpool: https://www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and-ideas/case-studies/future-yard/ 📚 You can read our essay collection 'From the ground up: Community business and Britain’s next decade': https://www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and-ideas/research-and-reports/from-the-ground-up-community-business-and-britains-next-decade/ Follow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/powertochange.org.uk Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/9480564/
bit.ly
December 18, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Reposted by Platform Places
#CommunityBusinessWeek kickstarts this weekend on #SmallBusinessSaturday🎉 Download our free toolkit packed with posters, social templates, and press release tips to help you shout about your community business or one you love 👇 https://www.powertochange.org.uk/what-we-do/community-business-week/
November 25, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Reposted by Platform Places
How can we protect, strengthen and revitalise these democratic, member-led spaces?

Through:

🔸 practical support for clubs

🔸 peer-learning summits, solidarity and study visits

🔸 urgent assistance for clubs at risk

🔸 better policy, training and funding for the sector

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November 24, 2025 at 4:42 PM
🎧 The Shared Future of Our High Streets 🎧

Rebecca Trevalyan speaks on The Conduit's 'Shaping Places' podcast, about our relationships with stuff, space and one another - and how they can transform the places we live. Listen now ⤵️

@theconduitlondon.bsky.social @thecrownestate.bsky.social
How sharing can transform communities, with Bex Trevalyan | The Conduit posted on the topic | LinkedIn
In this Shaping Places episode, our new podcast in collaboration with The Crown Estate, Rebecca Trevalyan (Bex) joins David Erasmus David and Matt Mason to discuss how sharing can build stronger, more...
www.linkedin.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Half of Britain's social clubs have closed their doors in the last 50 years, and many more are struggling to survive 🔐

But communities need them more than ever: for connection and culture, fun and friendship — and local power ✨

1/ 🧵

@archhfund.org.uk @memckeague.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Reposted by Platform Places
⏳ One week to go, with the last few spots remaining ⏳

Want your neighbourhood's buildings to serve local needs, for the long term?

Join us for practical takeaways on forming partnerships for town centre transformation ⤵️

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/practical-... @tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
November 11, 2025 at 11:35 AM
📣 Are you passionate about community-led development & transforming spaces into useful, affordable & welcoming places? 🪄

Bedminster Works is looking for people to join their Board of Directors to help shape the future of community buildings in Bedminster: bedminsterworks.co.uk/news-and-ins...
November 12, 2025 at 3:26 PM
⏳ One week to go, with the last few spots remaining ⏳

Want your neighbourhood's buildings to serve local needs, for the long term?

Join us for practical takeaways on forming partnerships for town centre transformation ⤵️

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/practical-... @tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
November 11, 2025 at 11:35 AM