Clatford Village Shop
Plans to revitalise goods offered
The immediate Past Mayor of Test Valley, Councillor Mrs Pat West officially re-opened the refurbished shop on Saturday morning, 2nd October 2004, at 11.00 am. Our Member of Parliament, Sir George Young was also in attendance with Jane Storer kindly welcoming the new arrangement.
Sarah Dowding, Lara Madge and Amanda Roberts-Davies will be Shop Managers. They bring a wealth of retail experience and expertise and will breathe fresh life and new impetus into the running of the shop. They already have detailed plans to revitalise the range of goods offered, including an enhanced range of local produce and delicatessen items.
The new managers are keen to introduce new items for sale and encourage their customers to come and try them. They also hope to be able to offer free tastings for some of these new products.
The Clatfords Shop Association are continuing to encourage those without a share to buy one. A high level of continuing local financial support remains essential as the grants available from Test Valley Borough Council are calculated on a multiple of the money raised from local residents and from the Parish Councils. Their intention is to build an extension onto the shop: this is considered vital for long term viability. Share and Loan application forms are available from Mrs Jo Winchcombe (Chairman) Tel: 01264 350464, David Drew (Publicity Officer) Tel: 01264 357024, and all committee members.
Article from http://www.hants.org.uk/goodworthclatford/shop.htm
New lease of life for ''heart of village''
Nearly 200 villagers crowded around Good-worth Clatford''s village shop to watch it being officially reop-ened at the weekend. The shop had been closed for a week while its new management, The Clatfords'' Shop Association gave it a facelift.
Former shopkeeper Jane Storer spoke of her mixed feelings at the handover.Delight because it had always been her and her late husband, Tony's dream to see the shop eventually handed over to the village.Sadness because Tony hadn't lived to see the dream become a reality.
"We felt very strongly that a village without a shop loses its heart," she said.
She will now continue to run the post office.
Shop association chairman Jo Winchcombe was lavish in her praise of those who had carried out the shop refit before Cllr Pat West, performing the official opening, told the watching crowd: "You're a wonderful village" and echoed Jane Storer's words with: "This (the shop) is the heart of your community."
Also present was Andover MP Sir George Young, and deputy leader of Hampshire County Council, Michael Woodhall. Hampshire County Council has granted £3,000 to the association. Up to 300 shop association shares have been sold to villagers and others to boost the shop association''s finances.
Afterwards spokesperson, David Drew said: "We hope the changes we''ve introduced will give residents more choices and a better quality of products."
The shop manager is Sally Hughes.
Article from http://archive.dailyecho.co.uk/2004/10/8/21617.html 08 October 2004
In 2008/9 the Clatford Village Community Shop Association applied to the Hampshire County Council/SEEDA funded Village Community Grant Scheme for a grant to help purchase new equipment to allow for storage of a greater range of fresh produce.
The application was granted and has enabled Clatford Village Shop to brighten its frontage, adding a newspaper display area and locally sourced horticultural products. A mini fresh fruit and vegetable market was introduced and the existing freezers were replaced with modern energy-efficient ones. The fridges now stock a range of fresh fish and meat, mostly local – including the local award-winning Greenfield Pork Products.
A celebratory event was held in December 2009 to mark the completion of the works and welcome the festive season, an occasion also used to launch a loyalty card. This provides customers/stakeholders with discounts of up to 15% at a range of retailers in Stockbridge and Andover (one per sector, such as an optician, law firm, tyre fitter, insurance broker) and acts to encourage more people to use the shop.
For further information visit: www3.hants.gov.uk/business/rural-initiatives/villagegrant.htm