We are thrilled to share that we have been shortlisted as Finalists for an award in the Community Based Social Enterprise of the Year category at the UK Social Enterprise Awards 2025!

Run by Social Enterprise UK, the awards celebrate the leading lights in our sector, showcasing diversity and impact across 15 categories.

Social enterprises are businesses that trade for a social or environmental purpose, and reinvest at least half their profits to further that mission. There are around 131,000 social enterprises in the UK, employing 2.3 million people, and we’re humbled to be recognised as one of the best in this pioneering business movement.

SPARK York C.I.C. opened in 2018, driven by a desire to bring life to an underutilised and often forgotten space in the city of York. We wanted to provide a space for local businesses to get their start in a place where they could be supported and valued. At the same time, we also wanted the space to become a progressive, diverse and inclusive space in the city where our community could come together. Since then, more than 65 different businesses have started their story at SPARK* and we’ve hosted hundreds of community events.

Commenting on being a UK Social Enterprise Awards finalist, Luke Castle said: “We are honoured to be announced as finalists for the Community Based Social Enterprise of the Year award. This is an amazing recognition of all the hard work from our team and really solidifies the impact we’re making on our local communities. We look forward to making more memories here in Piccadilly, and will continue to lead by example as to how businesses can really give back and benefit the people who need benefiting most.”

The winners will be announced at the Queen Elizabeth Hall at London’s Southbank Centre on 26 November, and you can view all the finalists on their website.