Community Impact

⁠An independent analysis found every £1 invested in SPARK returns £12.78 in social, economic and environmental value.
What is a CIC?

A Community Interest Company (CIC) is a special type of business that exists primarily to benefit the community rather than to generate profit for private shareholders. We very much operate like a business, however we are regulated by a CIC Regulator who ensures that all CICs are focused on our social mission, and not just generating profits. CICs are popping up in a wide range of sectors, from healthcare and education to arts and culture, and in SPARK:York’s case, to support local communities and entrepreneurs.

Why should it matter to you?

Whether you’re a local entrepreneur looking for space to grow your business, a freelancer in need of a collaborative environment, or someone passionate about contributing to your local community, the CIC structure means that we are here to provide a supportive, sustainable, and community-focused approach to business. When you engage with us, you’re not just renting a desk, eating delicious food, or attending an event – you’re helping build a stronger, more connected York.

In short, our model ensures that both the business and the community we serve are nurtured together, creating a ripple effect that empowers individuals, stimulates local economic growth, and ultimately contributes to the long-term well-being of the city.

Read our blog...
A photo of the terrace at Spark

SparkExplainer: What is a CIC and why it matters for local communities

What exactly is a CIC, and why is it such an important part of Spark?
35
Community organisations hosted here at SPARK
1,392kg
Food redistributed at our General Store
£1,438
Raised for local good causes
Some of the incredible community organisations we've supported with venue hire
Spotlight:
YorKAOS Youth Exhibition

A youth-led art exhibition hosted at SPARK in February. YorKAOS sold 127 pieces of artwork, raising £2,150 for local charities.

Raising money for

Jan-March 2026

50
food donations collected across January, February, and March
1,392kg
of surplus food redistributed
3,246
meals equivalent
2,589kg CO2e
prevented. That’s equivalent to driving York to Edinburgh and back more than 25 times
Our recent donations...
£769
Door 84 Youth & Community Centre
SPARK's Quingo event raised £769 for Door 84 Youth & Community Centre in February.
£569
Pancreatic Cancer UK
Another SPARK Quingo event raised £569 for Pancreatic Cancer in February.
£100
Kyra Women's Project
Our Celebrity Traitors Final screening raised £100 for Kyra Women's Project in January.

Our opening hours this week...

Monday: 8am – 10.30pm
Tuesday: 8am – 10.30pm
Wednesday: 8am – 10.30pm
Thursday: 8am – 10.30pm
Friday: 8am – 11pm
Saturday: 9am – 11pm
Sunday: 9am – 9pm

*coffee and pastries from open, main menu from 12pm

(main menu from 11am on Saturday)

We use cookies. Not the edible kind (sadly).

We use cookies to personalise content, provide social media features, and analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our analytics partners. You can change your preferences at any time. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.