Brighton Permaculture Trust

What Brighton Permaculture Trust does

Brighton Permaculture Trust is a UK-registered charitable company limited by guarantee (Charity No. 1150808, Company No. 4072259), founded in September 2000 and headquartered at The Fruit Factory in Stanmer Park, Brighton. It operates a small core team of approximately eight staff plus trustees, freelance tutors, and a large volunteer base. The organisation delivers permaculture education and regenerative food-and-land projects across Brighton and Sussex.

Its core activities span three integrated lines: (1) educational courses (25+ per year) on permaculture design, ecobuilding, fruit cultivation, garden management, practical skills (scything, grafting, pruning), and community resilience, delivered at varying price points with income-based sliding-scale fees; (2) orchard establishment and stewardship, including 200+ community and school orchards, the Racehill Community Orchard (200 fruit trees), and multiple orchards at Stanmer Park including the Plant Heritage-recognised National Collection of Sussex Apples; and (3) the Scrumped in Sussex project, centred on The Fruit Factory — a straw bale building capable of processing up to 40 tonnes of rescued fruit per year into juices, ciders, vinegars, jams and chutneys, sold via a weekend stall and through local independent stockists.

Revenue is generated across five streams: course and event fees (income-based sliding scale), scrumped product sales, donations and grants from trusts and foundations (including National Lottery, Naturesave, and others), free membership open to permaculture-ethics supporters, and venue hire of outdoor spaces. The organisation is governed by elected trustees and members, with no parent company, external investors, or private equity backing. It is partnered with Brighton & Hove City Council, the Permaculture Association, Brighton & Hove Food Partnership, Stanmer Organics, FareShare Sussex, the Low Carbon Trust, and the Universities of Brighton and Sussex, among others. Annual turnover is approximately £250,000.

Name

Brighton Permaculture Trust

Legal name

Brighton Permaculture Trust

Website

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Permaculture Education and Sustainability Services

NAICS

Apple Orchards (111331), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Canned, Fruits, Veg, Preserves, Jams & Jellies (2033), Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Philanthropic & Charitable Trust Services (FSAAANAI)

Keywords

• Permaculture education
• Community orchards
• Fruit waste reduction
• Sustainable living courses
• Heritage apple conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Brighton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Course and Event Fees: Educational courses covering permaculture, ecobuilding, fruit/orchards, garden management, practical skills, and community building. Sliding scale pricing based on income. Annual turnover approximately £250,000.
2. Scrumped Products Sales: Sales of juices, ciders, vinegars, jams and chutneys made from rescued fruit at The Fruit Factory. Fresh and pasteurised juices, flavoured ciders, and preserves sold directly and through local stockists.
3. Donations and Grants: Individual donations, corporate donations, matched giving, in-kind support, and legacies. Grant funding from trusts and foundations including The Naturesave Trust and others for specific projects.
4. Membership: Free membership open to supporters who agree to permaculture ethics. Members can vote at AGM and elect trustees.
5. Venue Hire: Outdoor spaces at Stanmer Park available to hire for workshops, gatherings, celebrations, forest schools, community groups and mental health support services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Brighton Permaculture Trust is a registered charity that provides permaculture education (25+ courses per year on permaculture design, ecobuilding, orchards, and practical skills) and runs community regenerative projects, including planting and supporting 200+ community orchards and the 'Scrumped in Sussex' project that processes up to 40 tonnes of rescued fruit annually into juices, ciders, vinegars, jams, and chutneys at The Fruit Factory in Stanmer Park. The Trust also delivers commercial juicing services, venue hire, volunteer programs, and corporate team building, all anchored in a community-led sustainability mission.

Product overview

Brighton Permaculture Trust operates as a community-focused charity offering educational programs and regenerative projects. The core portfolio consists of Courses (educational workshops and training programs), Community & School Orchards (orchard establishment and maintenance services), and Orchards at Stanmer Park (multiple public orchard sites including the National Collection of Sussex Apples). The Fruit Factory serves as the central processing hub for the Scrumped in Sussex project, producing Scrumped Products (juices, ciders, vinegars, jams, and chutneys) from rescued fruit. Supporting offerings include Juicing Services for external fruit processing, the Permaculture Plot at Stanmer (organic demonstration site), Adopt a Tree (tree care donations), Venue Hire (outdoor spaces), Volunteer Opportunities (regular sessions across sites), Gift Vouchers (course credit), Team Building Activities (corporate sessions), and School Sessions (educational programs for students). The products function as an integrated ecosystem where education, community engagement, and practical sustainability projects reinforce each other.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Permaculture and Sustainability Courses Educational workshops and training programs covering permaculture design, ecobuilding, fruit tree cultivation, garden management, practical skills, and community resilience. Offerings include one-day workshops, weekend courses, and longer programs on topics such as scything, tiny house building, woodland management, grafting, pruning, and solar energy. Delivered with income-based sliding scale pricing.
• Community and School Orchards Service Service helping schools and community groups establish and maintain orchards, including site assessment, tree provision, planting days, aftercare visits, and volunteer training in orchard maintenance.
• Scrumped Products Fresh-pressed and pasteurised apple and pear juices, traditional dry and flavoured ciders, apple cider vinegar, jams, and chutneys made from rescued surplus fruit. Products sold at the Fruit Factory stall, local retailers, and markets.
• Juicing Services Commercial juicing and bottling service for individuals and community groups with surplus fruit. Processes fruit using scratter and apple press, offers pasteurisation, and provides exchange options for juice.
• Venue Hire Outdoor site rental at Stanmer Park including orchards and permaculture plot spaces, available for workshops, gatherings, celebrations, and educational uses by forest schools, community groups, and mental health services.
• Team Building Activities Corporate team building days involving hands-on practical activities in orchards and gardens, with options for half-day or full-day sessions tailored to company groups.
• Adopt a Tree Donation program allowing individuals to support the care of community orchard trees through one-off or regular contributions, with downloadable adoption certificates available as gifts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ tonnes of fruit rescued from waste annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and regular.

• Stanmer OrganicscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner17-acre Soil Association-certified organic hub at Stanmer Park hosting 18 diverse projects. Brighton Permaculture Trust's Permaculture Plot is part of this cooperative space working in harmony with nature.
• Permaculture AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-wide network supporting permaculture projects, learning, and community. Brighton Permaculture Trust is a proud member.
• Brighton & Hove City CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal council partner for community orchards and sustainability initiatives. Land lease for Racehill Community Orchard and Stanmer Park sites.
• Brighton & Hove Food PartnershipmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for food-related initiatives including Harvest Project that led to Racehill Community Orchard establishment.
• FareShare Sussex & SurreymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBetween April 2020 and June 2023, delivered 13,212 bottles of juice to people in need via FareShare Sussex. Ongoing partner for food donation and community support.
• University of BrightonregularStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for knowledge sharing and potential student involvement in orchard and sustainability projects.
• University of SussexregularStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for knowledge sharing and potential student involvement in orchard and sustainability projects.
• Low Carbon TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for low-carbon building projects including Earthship Brighton and Tiny House Building courses. Co-develops sustainable architecture initiatives.
• Infinity FoodsregularStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing support as local sustainable food retailer. One of the local stockists for scrumped products.
• Trust for Developing CommunitiesregularStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner for community development initiatives.
• Lewes District CouncilregularStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal council partner for community orchard projects.
• Arun District CouncilregularStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal council partner for community orchard projects.
• Peacehaven Town CouncilregularStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal council partner for Peacehaven Community Orchard.
• Peacehaven Community OrchardregularStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for orchard projects in Peacehaven.
• TimberBalemajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBuilt The Fruit Factory structure with care and dedication using sustainable methods.
• Westgate JoineryregularImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvided doors and windows for The Fruit Factory.
• DH Solar EngineersregularImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvided plumbing expertise for The Fruit Factory.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Orchard Project: UK charity that plants and restores community orchards nationwide. Most directly comparable in mission (community orchards, fruit education, volunteer engagement) and beneficiary model.
• Trees for Cities: UK charity focused on planting urban trees and orchards with corporate, council, and community partnerships. Comparable in scale, urban-environmental focus, and corporate engagement model.
• Common Ground: UK charity championing local distinctiveness including orchards and community growing. Comparable niche focus on heritage varieties, community engagement, and environmental education.
• Permaculture Association: UK-wide network for permaculture design, education, and projects. Direct peer in permaculture course delivery and design education; BPT is a member organisation.
• Garden Organic: UK charity dedicated to organic gardening research and education. Comparable in organic-growing education courses, heritage variety conservation, and community horticulture programmes.

Regional players

• Sussex Wildlife Trust: Sussex-focused conservation charity managing nature reserves and biodiversity programmes. Comparable as a regional environmental nonprofit with overlapping Sussex geography and conservation mission.

Broad incumbents

• Soil Association: UK's largest organic certification and education charity. Comparable in organic certification (BPT's Permaculture Plot is Soil Association certified) and broader organic/regenerative education mission.
• Royal Horticultural Society: UK's leading gardening charity with extensive educational programming and horticultural expertise. Comparable in horticultural education but operates at much larger national scale.

Others

• FareShare UK: UK's largest food waste redistribution charity. BPT is an active partner supplying rescued-fruit juice; comparable as an adjacent player in food waste-to-value ecosystem.
• Brighton & Hove Food Partnership: Local food-policy partnership supporting community food growing in Brighton. Comparable as a Sussex-based food-system collaborator and BPT co-partner on Racehill Community Orchard.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@brightonpermaculturetrust
• Facebookfacebook.com/brightonpermaculture
• Instagraminstagram.com/brightonpermaculture

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Brighton Permaculture Trust