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What is a community shop?
Community shops are owned and run by the local community, rather than an owner trying to make a living from the shop. They are a growing trend across the country, because they offer a way for village shops to be viable in the long term, and also be very responsive to the local community. How does it work?
The Bradwell Community Shop looks pretty
much like any other village shop, stocking the sort of things you would expect,
and open normal shop hours. The difference is that it is run by a small
committee of local people, who volunteer their time to be the managers. The people serving in the shop are also volunteers, doing a couple of hours a week each. Although having said that,
we do employ a part-time manager, who works some hours in the shop. The shop is set up as a proper business, with published accounts and an annual public meeting. But it has no owners to take out profits. Any money it makes would have to be either put back into the shop to improve it, or spent locally on community projects. Post Office also?
As for the Post Office, you may be aware that Essex County
Council are paying for some Post Offices to re-open. The Parish Council has
asked for Bradwell to be included in that programme. The Post Office would be run by a sub-postmaster under contract to Post Office Ltd, and so would be separate from the community shop, although they would work closely together. Other Community Shops
The nearest one on comparable size is in Henham (near
Stansted Airport). This has been running for 10 years. You can find out more
about it on the Internet at www.henham.org/community_shop.htm
or pick up a leaflet at the shop. There is a charitable organisation called VIRSA that promotes community shops. Again you can find it on the Internet at www.virsa.org or pick up information at the shop. Funding
The shop did not need to raise a vast amount of money for start-up costs,
partly because the premises were nearly ready to be used. There were
grants available for community shops, but they would also have required that the shop
raised money locally and it was decided not to apply. The money was raised partly by normal fund-raising, but mainly by loans and donations from local people and businesses. What about the premises?
The shop building is owned by Michael Baker, who lives above it. He strongly supports the community shop. The shop pays him a rent, which has been determined by an independent valuer. Other organisations
The shop is run independently of the Parish Council,
although they are offering support. The Parish Church is backing the
project as well. There is also general support for the concept of community shops from Maldon District Council, Essex County Council and most of the political parties. What will be the next step?The shop Management Committee will hold an AGM soon, to which all the public will be invited. Those who with to become members (just £1 to join) will be able to be nominated for, and/or vote on the new Management Committee which will take the shop forward over the next year. How to help
For this shop to be a success, it really does depend on
local people getting involved. And
not just the “usual suspects”, but many people in various roles. For example · Those with business experience on the management committee · Help with book-keeping, legal advice etc. · Suppliers to the shop · Those handy with a paint brush or broom · Shop assistants · Even people with little spare time can help, since the shop will need modest loans to get started. Please fill in the questionnaire if you would like to offer your support. A phone number for enquiries is 01621 776274 Michael Baker |
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