A body representing thousands of town and parish councils has published a guide aimed at promoting the opportunities that community businesses can create locally.

Published by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), The Good Councillor's guide to community business is a resource that will enable local councils to understand better how a community business could enhance their parish or town.

Community businesses are enterprises that are owned and run democratically by members of the community and others, on behalf of the community.

However, the NALC warns that they are under threat from market forces, a lack of funding, and the effects of the pandemic.

The new guide, which is published in partnership with the Plunkett Foundation and Power to Change, intends to provide the practical how-to knowledge behind a community business and inspire a new generation of businesses to open.

‘I'm delighted for the launch of The Good Councillor's guide to community business,’ said Cllr Sue Baxter, chairman of NALC.

‘Local councils play a significant role as service deliverers for their communities, through supporting local economy and business.

‘It is encouraging that the sector already engages with community businesses and hope this latest publication will empower councillors with information to support community businesses and extend their take-up across the country.’