24.09.13
First Social Enterprise Cities announced
Bristol and Plymouth have been awarded Social Enterprise City status, as part of a Social Enterprise Places scheme run by Social Enterprise UK.
The pilot encourages locals to buy from social enterprises, and nominations can be entered at [email protected].
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.”
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Image c. Robert Cutts