COMMUNITY GRUB HUB CIC

Executive Summary

COMMUNITY GRUB HUB CIC operates as a small-scale community-focused food services provider within the niche social enterprise segment of the UK food service industry. Its financial performance and operational scale are consistent with sector norms for micro to small CICs, marked by modest turnover, positive working capital, and reliance on volunteer support. The company is well-positioned to address increasing local demand due to socio-economic pressures, although sustaining funding and volunteer engagement remains critical for future resilience.

COMMUNITY GRUB HUB CIC - Analysis Report

Company Number: 13739432

Analysis Date: 2025-07-19 11:56 UTC

1. Industry Classification
   COMMUNITY GRUB HUB CIC operates within SIC code 56290, classified as "Other food services." This sector typically encompasses businesses providing food-related services outside traditional restaurants and catering, including community food provision, food banks, and social enterprises focused on food distribution and support. Key characteristics include a strong community-orientation, reliance on volunteers, and a focus on social impact rather than profit maximisation. The sector often operates within tight financial constraints, relying on grants, donations, and public funding, with limited turnover and asset bases compared to commercial food service companies.

2. Relative Performance
   The company’s turnover of £61,939 (year ended March 2024) is modest and consistent with typical small-scale community-focused food service providers. Its gross profit margin—calculated as gross profit (£41,953) over turnover—is approximately 67.7%, which is reasonable given its not-for-profit orientation and the nature of donated or low-cost goods. The company reports zero current liabilities and net current assets of £49,260, indicating sound working capital management. However, net assets and shareholders’ funds stand at zero, reflecting the limited equity nature of a CIC and its reinvestment of surpluses into community activities rather than accumulation of reserves. The average employee count of 3, supplemented by over 20 volunteers, aligns with sector norms for micro to small community food service entities.

3. Sector Trends Impact
   The "other food services" sector, especially community food provision CICs, is heavily influenced by socio-economic factors such as cost-of-living pressures, food insecurity rates, and government policy on social welfare. Rising inflation and economic uncertainty have increased demand for food assistance services, benefiting community hubs like this one. Additionally, the growing emphasis on sustainability and reducing food waste aligns with the company’s model of tracking food distribution and consumption. Challenges include funding volatility, volunteer recruitment and retention, and regulatory compliance related to food safety and community engagement. The sector also experiences increased scrutiny on impact measurement and outcomes, necessitating robust data collection and reporting.

4. Competitive Positioning
   COMMUNITY GRUB HUB CIC positions itself as a niche social enterprise within the food services sector, focused on community benefit rather than commercial competition. Strengths include its community-centric business model, volunteer engagement, and partnerships with local advisory services, which enhance its social impact and service breadth. Its transparent financial practices and exemption under small companies regime support efficient administration. However, financial scale remains limited compared to larger charitable food providers or commercial social enterprises, constraining operational flexibility and growth potential. The lack of directors’ remuneration underscores a volunteer-led ethos but may limit capacity for professional management. Compared to sector norms, the company maintains stable financial health and community engagement but will need to sustain funding and volunteer resources to navigate sector pressures.