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Case Study:

A street the whole world loves: How Plymouth's Nudge are proving the power of community ownership

This month, we feature Nudge Community Builders in Plymouth. Nudge bring derelict buildings into community ownership, creating spaces for local businesses and ensuring regeneration benefits the entire community.

Published: 17 September 2024
6 minute read

In 2017, a group of locals in Plymouth founded Nudge Community Builders with the aim of revitalising Union Street and making it “a street the whole world loves”.

Despite its rich and colourful past, Union Street has fallen on hard times—its once-grand theatres now crumbling and being reclaimed by nature. The area is now among the most deprived in the UK.

Their mission is to bring these derelict buildings into community ownership and transform them into vibrant spaces for local businesses, community groups, charities and people. Nudge believes community ownership is key to ethical regeneration, ensuring regeneration benefits locals rather than driving them out.


“There's nothing more powerful than a community coming together and pushing against the way things are, and the powers that be and saying that it can be a different way,” says Hannah Sloggett, a co-founder and Director of Nudge.

Nudge now own 30% of the once-empty land on Union Street. Having purchased the buildings through community shares, locals have been given a real stake in their future.

Nudge offers a range of spaces for local businesses and community organisations, from community radio and catering services to the University of Plymouth. Those involved are deeply passionate about the strong sense of community and support they gain from being part of the project.

The way of securing long term impacts for a community is to own the buildings. And then all the change that you're making can be ploughed back into the local community.

Hannah Sloggett
Co-founder and Director, Nudge

Businesses are thriving here. And there's a real community, I've never experienced a sense of community like this before.

Vicky Putler
Founder and Director, Flax CIC

Despite challenges, particularly in securing funding, the Nudge team have remained steadfast in their goal, driven by the tangible impact of community ownership they see all around them.

"What most people say is that what's happening here gives them hope," reflects Hannah.

“If in 50 years' time, people are proud to say they live in Stonehouse (Plymouth), and there's opportunities along Union Street for local people, then that is success.”