OXFORDSHIRE is a hotspot for investors who put cash into community causes, a new report has said.

The Make Money Do Good report, published this week, reveals £7.9m has been invested in community schemes across the county.

These include the Westmill Solar Co-operative at Watchfield, near Shrivenham, which raised £5.8m in 2012, and Osney Lock Hydro, which is building a hydro-electricity generator on the River Thames at Osney Lock, in Oxford.

Low Carbon Hub, which supported the Osney hydro scheme and put solar panels on the roof of the Oxford Bus Company’s garage last year, launched a share offer for £1.5m earlier this month.

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It plans to install solar panels on 21 schools across the county and is already a third of the way towards its target, having raised £500,000 so far.

Community businesses include the Seven Stars pub in Nuneham Courtney and the Bull in Great Milton, both bought by groups of residents banding together, plus Cultivate, which grows and sells organic fruit and veg.

Cowley Road-based Ethex Positive Investment is behind the report and acts as a broker between people wanting to invest in good causes and schemes which need finance.

Ethex founder Jamie Hartzell said: “People are taking control of their finances because the 2008 crash led to loss of trust in banks and other financial institutions.

“More investors are considering not just financial but also social and ethical issues.

“It used to be all about what you wouldn’t invest in, so steering clear of say, tobacco or pornography but now it’s more a decision to invest in something positive. And by becoming a share holder in a local-based business, you have a say, a vote and can go to annual meetings and visits.’’ Other community investment hotspots include Bristol and Bath.

 

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