Ropley Village Stores and Post Office
Sally Taylor of BBC South Today opened Ropley Village Stores and Post Office on the 20th October 2006.
Ropley's New Village Community Shop Opens!
Ropley, one of the largest villages in Hampshire is about to see the return of its post office and shop in the centre of the village. The culmination of nearly five years planning, the new community owned venture - ‘The Courtyard’ - opens for business Monday 23rd October in a converted stable block.
Ropley’s Shop Association was formed when the previous shop was sold and the building converted to residential use. To ensure the continuation of its much used service the Post Office was persuaded to support a temporary part time service in a small community hall, whilst new permanent premises were sought.
After public meetings and a village wide survey had confirmed strong and enthusiastic support, and endorsement from the Parish Council, the Management Committee set about raising funds to refurbish and convert the centrally located stable block adjacent to the local school and the church, on which a seven year rent free lease had been negotiated with the Diocese of Winchester, trustees of the building.
Nearly a third of the anticipated finance required has come from donations and loans from the village, with the balance provided by grants, the largest from DEFRA’s Rural Enterprise Scheme, but also from East Hampshire District Council, the Post Office and the Parish Council.
Extensive internal building work has been undertaken to convert the premises into suitable retail accommodation and to meet the often costly implications of bureaucratic regulation. However all the extensive decoration required has been carried out by local volunteers.
The shop will wherever possible source from local producers and suppliers, with the intention of providing much of the essential food and drink requirement of the village, thus saving on unnecessary travel and car use.
In addition to the introduction of a new focus for community life, and the preservation and enhancement of a former agricultural building in the conservation area, the Shop Association, as a non profit making organisation will plough back all surpluses for the benefit of Ropley, an additional inducement, if one were needed to encourage wide local support of its restored facility.
Ropley Village Stores and Post Office Association Ltd