CASE STUDY

Company Shop

Changing policy and securing £2m in government funding

Client

Company Shop

Services provided

The Situation

Company Shop is the UK’s largest surplus redistribution organisation. Company Shop take surplus food, drink and household items from manufacturers and retailers, and redistributes them through their member-only superstores, delivering social and environmental good.

What we did

PLMR made a game-changing intervention for Company Shop by ensuring redistribution was included in Defra’s Food Waste Hierarchy. The omission of redistribution in the old guidelines meant that tonnes of edible surplus was needlessly wasted.

Our 6-month integrated communications campaign combined thought leadership in key media with effective engagement with decision makers, including a major set piece event at Conservative Party Conference.

The Result

The Food Waste Hierarchy was subsequently updated in the Government’s Resources and Waste Strategy, referencing redistribution for the first time – meaning more food will reach peoples plates as intended.

Then, PLMR’s comprehensive and persuasive tender response to Defra resulted in Company Shop becoming one of only four organisations to receive funding to tackle food waste; the full amount requested – £1.9million, which we announced through organising a visit from then Environment Minister, Therese Coffey.

Add PLMR to your contacts

PLMR’s crisis communications experience is second to none, and includes pre-emptive and reactive work across traditional and social media channels. We work with a range of organisations to offer critical communication support when they are faced with difficult and challenging scenarios.