Watlington · Oxfordshire · OX49

A High Street
That Owns Itself

Watlington Community Property Trust is working to bring commercial properties on our High Street into permanent community ownership — so the businesses that make this town special can stay here for good.

About the trust

Keeping Watlington's heart in local hands

Watlington has something rare: a High Street that still works. The Granary Deli, the Spire & Spoke, SO Sustainable, Calnan Brothers — independent businesses that have become part of the fabric of the town. But the buildings they occupy are vulnerable. When freeholds change hands, rents rise and uses change.

Watlington Community Property Trust exists to change that. We are a Community Benefit Society — a legal structure that allows communities to own assets collectively, governed by their members, and protected from being sold for private gain.

Our mission is to acquire commercial freeholds on Watlington High Street and hold them permanently in community ownership, letting them at fair rents to tenants who benefit the town.

See how it works

"Not owned by distant investors. Not at the mercy of the market. Owned by the community, run for the community."

Once a property enters the trust, an asset lock means it can never be sold for private gain. It belongs to Watlington permanently.

Our purpose

What we do

Acquire freeholds

We raise funds through a community share offer to buy the freehold of commercial buildings on the High Street outright.

Hold them permanently

An asset lock embedded in our rules means our properties can never be sold on for private profit. Once in the trust, always in the trust.

Let at fair rents

We let to tenants who benefit the local community — independent businesses, essential services, and the enterprises that give Watlington its character.

Governed by members

Anyone can invest and become a member. Every member has one vote, regardless of how much they invest — and members elect the board.

First acquisition target

Acquisition in progress

2 High Street,
Watlington OX49

Property type Mixed-use freehold — two ground-floor retail units and a long-leased residential flat above

Location On Watlington High Street, at the heart of the town centre

Why now The freehold is coming to market. This is our opportunity to secure it for the community before it passes to private investors.

What we need Community members to register interest now, ahead of our share offer launch.

The journey

How it works

We are a Community Benefit Society registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. Here is where we are.

✓

Complete

Form the organisation

WCPT has been established with founding trustees and submitted for registration with the FCA as a Community Benefit Society using Plunkett UK model rules.

Now

Build community support

We're growing a founding community of people who want to see Watlington's high street protected. Register your interest to be first to hear about our share offer.

Coming soon

Launch the community share offer

We will open a regulated community share offer, open to anyone who wants to co-own a piece of Watlington's High Street.

Coming soon

Acquire 2 High Street

Using funds raised, we complete the freehold purchase — placing it under permanent community ownership, protected by an asset lock.

The goal

Grow the trust

With one property secured and a track record established, we continue acquiring further properties on the High Street as opportunities arise.

Get involved

How you can support this project

We are at an early and important stage. Every expression of support strengthens our case.

Register interest

Invest

When our share offer launches, invest from as little as £50 and become a co-owner with a vote at our AGM.

Get notified →

Spread the word

Tell your neighbours and local networks. The more people who know, the stronger the case we can make.

Join the board

We welcome applications from people with skills in finance, law, property, or community development.

Get in touch →

Stay in the loop

Register your interest

Leave your details and we'll keep you updated on our progress and let you know when the share offer is ready.

Updates about WCPT only. No third parties. Unsubscribe any time.

It can be done

Communities that have done it before us

WCPT is part of a growing movement of community-owned property trusts across the UK. These organisations show what is possible.

Hastings, East Sussex

Hastings Commons

Community land trust acquiring commercial property in the Old Town to keep independent businesses in place long-term.

London, SW9

Brixton Green

A community-owned enterprise working to bring land and property in Brixton into permanent community stewardship.

Shropshire

Fordhall Community Land Initiative

One of the first community land ownership projects in England, raising funds from over 8,000 shareholders to buy a farm in community hands.

West Yorkshire

Hebden Bridge Community Association

Community ownership of the historic Hebden Bridge Town Hall, run for the long-term benefit of the local community.

A High StreetThat Owns Itself