Marchington Village Shop
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Marchington villagers re-opened their village shop on Saturday 27th November 2010 which is owned and run entirely by a group of volunteers.
The previous commercial shop business closed its doors in January 2010 and a volunteer board of members was formed to research the possibility of re-opening the shop on a community basis. Following detailed research with the 1,000 plus population, the group realised that there would be strong support from villagers to raise funds and regularly use a convenience-style outlet selling fresh and local produce. The board range in ages and professions but many are holding down full time jobs whilst also getting the business up and running.
In just under 12 months the group has raised a total of nearly £45,000 in funds to establish the business. The initial £12,000 target from the community was raised by selling shares in the shop, individual donations and fundraising events. This amount was matched with a grant from the Plunkett Foundation and is boosted by a further £19,000 loan from Co-operative & Community Finance.
The previous commercial shop business closed its doors in January 2010 and a volunteer board of members was formed to research the possibility of re-opening the shop on a community basis. Following detailed research with the 1,000 plus population, the group realised that there would be strong support from villagers to raise funds and regularly use a convenience-style outlet selling fresh and local produce. The board range in ages and professions but many are holding down full time jobs whilst also getting the business up and running.
In just under 12 months the group has raised a total of nearly £45,000 in funds to establish the business. The initial £12,000 target from the community was raised by selling shares in the shop, individual donations and fundraising events. This amount was matched with a grant from the Plunkett Foundation and is boosted by a further £19,000 loan from Co-operative & Community Finance.
The previous premises was gutted and completely refurbished, with new shop fittings, signage and layout. Booker, who supply the dry goods, advised on merchandising.
The shop opened focusing on the phrase “fresh, local, convenient” with fresh produce from Denstone Farm Shop, bread from Spencers Bakery in Ashbourne, a range of wines from Old School Wines from Tittensor, seasonal items, general grocery goods and newspapers, magazines and cards. The shop is being managed on a paid basis by Chris Norris and Jane Tams with over 37 unpaid volunteers from the village. A local 19 year old village resident, Amie Shepherd is now undertaking her NVQ level 2 in Customer Service at the shop in partnership with Burton College. In addition to the board of six, there is voluntary support from other villagers in the form of website management, PR, marketing and wine & beer buying.
Another local girl, Alexandra Chizlett, won a competition to design the shop bags, which are jute “bags for life” and our local MP, Andrew Griffiths was present to open the shop. The shop has had lots of press coverage in the local newspapers (Uttoxeter Advertiser and Uttoxeter Post and Times) and have also featured in Derbyshire Life, been interviewed by BBC Radio Derby twice and will feature in a 2-page feature in Staffordshire Life in April.
Reginald Wynniatt-Husey, Chairman of the Volunteer Board for the Marchington Community Shop commented at the time of opening: “This has been an extraordinary effort by the volunteer team and all our supporters over the last eleven months. Not only have we been successful in raising the necessary funds, we have created a business plan, liaised with local suppliers, renovated the building and recruited a shop management team. We are therefore delighted and proud to open Marchington Village Shop for the community, by the community."
Trading was brisk before Christmas for Christmas trees, Prosecco (on special offer), bread and general store cupboard items. During the period of heavy snow, the shop was very busy for supplies of bacon, sausages, eggs and bread as people found they couldn’t get to work and compensated with large cooked breakfasts! Since Christmas average weekly sales are just about hitting budget with an average footfall of over 90 people day. The marketing group have established monthly promotions which always include a wine of the month and are distributing monthly newsletters to update villagers on progress while an email news update is now received by over 200 people.
The January newsletter ran a shopping basket comparison with Tesco which came out 81p cheaper, in February there was a Valentine’s promotion on rose wine, Roses chocolates and actual roses – called “Everything’s coming up roses!” and in March we’re focusing on our locally reared meat products. April plans include Easter and the Royal Wedding promotions.