A Sheffield-based food co-operative is marking a major milestone as it celebrates 15 years of community-led work by securing ownership of its building.
In 2024 the building’s landlords put the property up for sale. Risking eviction, the Regather team worked to apply for a government grant through the Community Ownership Fund. Regather was awarded £250,000, allowing them to buy the building outright.
During the application process, Gareth Roberts, co-founder and director of Regather, and his team worked through an 80-page business plan for the grant.
Regather was backed by an overwhelming amount of community support, with over a thousand people contributing to their funding application.
Now with full control over their premises, located on Club Garden Road, Highfield, the co-operative is looking ahead to continue to grow their business and encourage a more sustainable food system in Sheffield.
Regather, founded in 2010, has grown from small collective into a vital local organisation, known for its vegetable box scheme, sustainable farming, and wide range of community-focused initiatives. The co-op sources produce from its own farm in the nearby Moss Valley and has expanded over the years to include educational visits, event space hire, and even wedding flowers.