Since our communication in December 2010 we have carried a further detailed review of this business and our own personal circumstances and future needs. We have also sought professional advice and have to conclude that the shop will no longer be financially viable for us beyond 2012.
On a personal note, we both regularly work over 100 hours per week and with Mike reaching retirement age in 2013 we no longer wish to continue working at this pace by then. After 16 years we feel very settled in West Down and have made many friends here. It is therefore our intention to stay here at Pipcott and continue with the Soft Furnishings, Tea Room and Caravan & Camping businesses. We intend to convert the shop (and rooms above) back to a residential property.
We have made this announcement earlier than anticipated to allow the Parish to seriously consider the possibility of building a new purpose built community village shop within the grounds of the Parish Hall.
We would suggest that this could be achieved, if there is the will, along the lines of the Berrynarbor model (i.e. run by volunteers from within the community)
We would also suggest that a very strong case could be made to gain financial assistance in the form of grants from the Fullabrook Community Interest Company (CIC), and possibly other sources.
Local groups and organisations are now invited to contact the CIC with an 'Expression of Interest' which after consideration, if successful, would lead to an invitation to make a full application for grant assistance.
Obviously before any of this can happen, there needs to be much communication and discussion within the local community and we would ask if our Parish Council could provide a steer on how this should be done. Other postings - latest first
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Memorandum of Association
This is the Memorandum of Association of the committee called the West Down Community Shop Project.
Aim of the committee:
To lead the community in maintaining a village shop which is financially sustainable, owned by the community and run for the benefit of all who live and work in the community.
Objectives of the committee:
• develop/establish a democratic organisation with an open and affordable membership structure
• ascertain what goods and services are needed by the community, bearing in mind, in particular, the needs of people who are disabled, isolated or otherwise disadvantaged
• assess options available for setting up a viable and financially independent community owned shop.
Specific Activities of the committee:
Within the committee, specific tasks will need to be undertaken. These include;
• communication/consultation with the local community
• visiting other shops to understand what is involved
• selecting a site / premises for the shop, and assessing costs required to get it ready to trade from
• developing a business plan including a financial plan
• opening a bank account, fundraising, applying for grants, and selling shares (depending on the legal structure chosen)
• choosing a legal structure
• recruitment of volunteers, to assist in the running of the shop
• working with other projects being developed in the village where co-ordination of efforts seems mutually desirable and beneficial.
Framework for the committee:
The committee was established on 1 September 2011 and will be re-established on incorporation (registering the business with a formal legal structure which will include its own Memorandum of Association or equivalent governing document) or on an annual basis if incorporation is unsuccessful.
The committee will meet at least once every calendar month: the meeting dates will be advertised, and all residents will be invited to submit ideas. At least once every 6 months the meeting will be open to the public: the meeting date will be advertised and all residents will be invited to attend.
Structure of the committee:
A volunteer committee has come together to pursue the aims and objectives set out above. The committee consists of the following:
Chair:
• Jan Oades
• Chair of Parish Council
• Co-ordination of the committee's activities.
Treasurer:
• Steve Sinyard
• Qualified Accountant
• Preparing and assessing financial plans and alternatives. Responsible for all financial matters.
Secretary:
• Jo Lock
• Marketing Manager for North Devon Theatres
• Taking minutes of meetings.
Liaison officer:
• Peter Knowles
• Former government lawyer
• Liaising with official bodies etc.
Fundraising Leads:
• Paddy Knowles, Sheila Davison.
Retail and Marketing Lead:
• Helen Cooper
Business Planning Leads:
• Steve Sinyard, Keith Oades, Janet Oades.
People Management Leads:
• Jo Lock, Eddie Edwards.
Special Advisers:
• Terry King, Mike Reeves.
| Following a meeting held on 1st September 2011 the following were elected to the committee for the West Down Community Shop Chair: Jan Oades Treasurer: Steve Sinyard Secretary: Jo Lock Liaison Officer: Peter Knowles Committee Members: Keith Oades; Paddy Knowles; Dianne McGahran; Terry King; Eddie Edwards; Helen Cooper; Sheila Davison Sub-Commitees: Business Planning - Steve Sinyard; Keith Oades; Jan Oades Fundraising - Paddy Knowles; Sheila Davison; Steve Sinyard Retail and Marketing - Helen Cooper; Dianne McGahran People Management - Jo Lock; Eddie Edwards Peter Knowles and Terry King to act as Floats on each sub-committee as required. The committee are now investigating potential funding sources and site options for the location of the community shop. The next meeting will be held on Thursday 6th October 2011. |
| 14th June 2011 We have been busy in the last month exploring the possible use of Pipcott's Workroom behind the shop! Heather needs more room for her soft furnishing business and may vacate her workroom so this could provide the central village location that everyone wants. There are still more things to sort out before we can move forward and get the Committee's first meeting organised so, again, please bear with 43 people have now volunteered to help out in the shop and 19 have now put their names down to help in the creation and running of the shop - we will be in touch with them soon. Thanks to everyone who completed the Community Shop flier. We had a good 23.5% return on the fliers delivered. In the meanwhile, things may go quiet for a while as our options our explored. But the good news is that a Community Shop appears to be a viable proposition! |