Recognition as Newcomer Community Project in the Devon Community and Social Impact Awards celebrates the work of Janet Palmer’s Keep Plymouth Aliveto support independent businesses and promote the varied events, culture and activity found across the city.
The community-led Facebook initiative provides a positive space for sharing local stories, introducing new ventures and drawing attention to Plymouth’s independent shops and businesses. Janet regularly walks through the city centre to meet business owners, discover new openings and create original posts, photographs and features for the group.
In Conversation with Janet Palmer, Founder of Keep Plymouth Alive
Following Keep Plymouth Alive’s award win, we spoke with Founder Janet Palmer about the project’s beginnings, its growing community and her ambition to see the concept adopted in other towns and cities.
Please provide a brief overview of your business or what do you do within the company.
My business is called Keep Plymouth Alive.
I set it up over 3 years ago as a community business on Facebook to counteract negativity and help small and independent businesses prosper, and also to promote large and small events in the city of Plymouth.
I have been astounded at just how much goes on in this wonderful city and how many varied businesses there are, with new ones appearing all the time!
I run the group and have total control of content and choose who assists me. I share my own posts and content, particularly when I have visited different businesses, and take photos, write about them and post the content. We also share other posts that are appropriate.
What would you attribute as the main reason for your success?
The main reason for my success is that I have created a group that is totally positive and extremely interactive. Some of the posts have had 100,000 views! I revisit the businesses regularly and many say they are so happy and their footfall and revenue have increased.
I interact with some people who run other similar groups by meeting with them and have been invited to some events, which is great. My group is unique as I concentrate heavily on the businesses and unusual, quirky stuff too.
It’s all great fun and I have made many friends and acquaintances through the group. We have a social group and we meet up regularly. Occasionally, we invite the whole 13,000, hoping they don’t all turn up!!!
What has been the biggest challenge you have overcome?
Negative and nasty comments. I’m overcoming this by taking on 2 more admin people so we can keep a check on the posts regularly. It was OK with 2 of us on admin when the group was smaller, but now we need more people to help and they are starting now, so that is good!
What do you think made you stand out as a winner in the awards? Tell us about the specific project or facet of your business you believe earned you this award win.
I think the fact that my group concentrates heavily on small and independent businesses is the main reason I was a winner. I was really hoping that this would take off around the country and different towns and cities would adopt the same model, i.e. Keep Exeter Alive. I did contact some people in Exeter but didn’t hear anything back. In large cities, it would have to be done by area.
I have been approached by the Plymouth City Centre company to work with them. They do amazing events in the city and really get people’s spirits up. I decided I was happy doing my own thing, but we do work together in many ways.
What is the next big step for you?
To work with the new people on admin in my group to get some new energy into Keep Plymouth Alive and possibly hold some events.
Also, as I explained in the last question, to get the Keep Plymouth Alive concept spread around the country.
Would you recommend Business Awards UK to other businesses? If so, why?
Yes. Because it gives you encouragement and credibility!
Keeping the Focus on Plymouth
Keep Plymouth Alive has grown by maintaining a clear and practical purpose: creating positive coverage for the businesses, events and people contributing to life across Plymouth. Its interactive community allows local ventures to reach a wider audience, while Janet’s regular visits ensure that much of its content is rooted in direct conversations and first-hand experience.
The next stage will involve working with an expanded administration team, bringing renewed energy to the group and exploring the possibility of organising events. Janet also hopes the wider concept can eventually be adapted for communities elsewhere, giving more independent businesses access to similarly focused local support.
Keep Plymouth Alive’s Newcomer Community Project win recognises what a new community initiative can accomplish through consistency, local knowledge and sustained engagement. Business Awards UK congratulates Janet Palmer and everyone supporting the continued growth of the project.
