Date started: September 2017
Website: nudge.community
Twitter: @nudgecommunity
Location: Plymouth

Nudge Community Builders was set up by Wendy Hart and Hannah Sloggett in September 2017 following 10 years of community volunteering in Plymouth.

Focusing on Union Street, the project was set up with the aim of eventually regenerating the entire street of 15 buildings for the benefit of the local community.

The idea came to life following a two year project to bring Union Corner - a disused shop - back into use with backing from a 28-day crowdfunding campaign. Now, Wendy and Hannah refer to this space as a ‘Community house-share’ where local people can make new connections, friends, and try out new activities, from tai chi, to yoga therapy, and tattoo design.

Following the successful regeneration of Union Corner, Wendy and Hannah established Nudge Community Builders and turned their attention to The Clipper Inn in 2017.

Once a 24-hour pub, The Clipper fell into disrepair following a two-year closure and repossession. Nudge received a £10,000 grant from Plymouth City Council’s social enterprise investment fund, an £85,000 one-year bridging loan from the local authority and £35,000 from four private investors to renovate the building.

After six months’ work, The Clipper reopened as a community marketplace and cafe, with space for pop-ups, market units and display areas. Two homes for local need will also be finished above the market by December.

“We hope that this will be a really vibrant place that people will want to visit,” says Wendy. “We would love to move on to developing buildings two and three in the next few years.”