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What is a Community Benefit Society?

A Community Benefit Society (CBS) is a type of legal organisation in the UK designed to run a business or activity with the main goal being to benefit the wider community, rather than its members or shareholders. Making a profit is not the main aim and any surplus is typically reinvested into the community or the society’s mission, not distributed to members as profit. 

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A CBS normally has members who hold shares and the society is organised on the principle of one-member, one-vote. This ensures there’s a fundamental equality between members and is largely why the structure is so popular for community ownership of local assets such as pubs and shops. Unlike a company or co-operative society, profits cannot be distributed to members or shareholders and a CBS has a clear legal commitment to public benefit. 

 

We are registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (registration number 8791) and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, to whom we submit annual returns. To view our rules, please click here.

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We have had two share offers to raise capital to open the shop at Roman Quay in May 2022, and to fund the relocation to 23 High Street in October 2023. Click to view our share offer document, share offer form and benefactor form. It is also possible to make a simple donation to The Green Gram via our donations page.

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Our Aims

The aims of The Green Gram guide how we operate. Through the operation of The Green Gram, we will:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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How is The Green Gram managed?

Our management team is comprised of the volunteer Management Committee and paid members of staff. The majority of staff you will meet in the shop are volunteers.

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Each year we invite our members to attend the Annual Members' Meeting for an update on the shop's progress during the financial year, to vote for committee members as required, and to vote on distribution of grants when available.

 

Next Annual Members Meeting: September 2026

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For information on previous Annual Member's Meetings, please click the relevant year below:​​​