Hinton St George

Information taken from Hinton St George community shop website http://www.hintonstgeorge.org.uk/Shop%20info.html

On the 29th. August 2011 we took over the management of the shop and on the 12th. August the contract with the Post Office was transferred to HRCS.

Below is the background to how this has been achived.

Following a meeting of all those who expressed a willingness to help take a project forward to secure the future of our Shop and Post Office, a Steering Group was established to work on developing and realising a Business Plan for a Community Shop, which would reflect the needs and wishes of residents of Hinton St. George, Dinnington, Lopen and the surrounding area. Subsequently we have registered ourselves with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) as an Industrial Provident Society (IPS). Our formal name is now Hinton St. George and Locality Rural Community Services Limited (HRCS). In place of the Steering Group the founder members of HRCS have elected a Management Committee. This committee will continue to run affairs until the first Members Meeting when they will resign and be available, to gether with any other volunteers, for election by the the thne members.

A tremendous amount of work has been put in by many people and everyone is to be congratulated and thanked. Our revised Business Plan has been implemented. A revised planning application has been submitted for the improvement and conversion of the premises of 47 High Street into a commercial ground floor and a residential first floor. A splendid community effort has pledged substantial funds and together with grants and donations has now reached some £100K. However there is much more needed and a Share Offer is being prepared when we hope all those who have pledged will not only honour their pledges but possibly increase their generosity. Pledges of loans can be converted into shares. It is also vital that everyone becomes a member of the HRCS which is at a cost of £10.00 for life per individual or corporate body.