Coddenham Shop A future in the community Coddenham Community Shop Steering Group

The Shop in Coddenham – Since the 17th Century! Successful and thriving village store Developed as “the village hub” Supporting local producers and suppliers Wide range of services Post office, coffee shop, off-licence, Police surgery, dry cleaning, parcel drop off, ticket sales, plant sales, newspapers, a chat Leaseholders, Jane and Julia moving on

Who we are and the story so far Steering Group Rod Stanley-Bell, David McDonnell, Tim Thomas, Elaine Thomas Supporting Roy and Ann Gudgin in search for commercial tenant Community shop feasibility Village survey Working with the Plunkett Foundation Legal frameworks and funding opportunities Talked to a lot of people!

Village Survey Results If no other option, would you support the idea of a community shop in principle? How important do you think it is to have a shop as a village facility?

Village Survey Results Would you be willing to help in any of the following ways? Helping set up shop/being on committee – 24 Working in shop as volunteer – 39 Paid manager – 5 Help with accountancy/legal etc – 5 Other - 14 How often do you think you would use the shop?

Village Survey Results On average, how much money do you, or are you likely to spend in the shop/cafe each week? The shop is crucial to this part of the village. It is convenient and it provides a focus and meeting point. Without it the village would be little more than a random collection of housing. Its specialities (cheese, coffee) are also important. Our shop is the heart and soul of our village and provides us with a wide variety of goods and products. It is well used by many of us in and out of the village and if you don't or can't drive it is a Godsend. The village shop is an integral part of the community……. It is essential that it (or something very like it) continues to be at the heart of the village - it's not just somewhere to get the milk, but a real focus for the village - and more people need to use it.  It would be sad to not have a shop in Coddenham as it provides a service for the elderly and a post office which are getting harder to find in rural villages.

Mission – Evolution (and a bit of a) Revolution Establish a community-owned shop Key focal point for whole village Maintain current shop services Expanded range Community hub for the village Expanded coffee shop Involve local people Extensively and widely

Value to you and the community Why the shop? No school, no pub – major loss to community Why a Community Shop? Run to meet local needs Successful and sustainable– 90% in business after 5 years Environment and eco-system Better access to local produce Supporting local enterprises Supporting house prices Could cost you thousands!

Alan Collard

Plunkett Foundation & Community Shops The Plunkett Foundation Leading voice for community business support in the UK since 1919 Community Shops – a good idea? Community shops respond to key challenges facing rural communities Last 5 years – average of 22 shops per year opened under community ownership. Engage large numbers of the community Typical number of members involved 177 Typical number of volunteers involved 30 Become the hub of the community 59% host post offices 43% have cafes A resilient form of business: Average turnover £161,000 Success rate of community shops 94% Average small business success rate 46%

Supporting the Coddenham Community Shop Steering Group Alan Collard and team - Supporting the Steering Group Expert knowledge, experience and advice for setting up and running community shops Initial business scoping and planning Setting up of the Community Benefit Society Modelling the community share process Facilitating work with other community shops Range of other support for members

Business Plan – Will it work? Outline Profit & Loss Start up costs

The way forward Premises Suppliers Target Markets Secure a long-term lease on the shop premises Suppliers Maintain current set Expand ranges gradually Target Markets Coddenham – the whole village Surrounding villages Passing trade Structure and Governance Community Benefit Society Fundraising Start – up cost £35,000 Shop operations and management Paid manager and volunteers

Funding, Structure & Governance Community Benefit Society (CBS) Local and national grants available Community Share Issue Shares priced at £50 Potential 50% tax relief on investment A vote and a say in the affairs of the shop Committee of members to oversee Any surplus for benefit of the community Significant progress on share purchases pledged!

Shop Operations & Management Paid shop manager Oversee overall operation Pool of volunteers Regular, active commitment Maintain existing suppliers Efficiency and expansion Outreach Post Office Will continue Coffee shop facilities expanded Light lunches and snacks

We REALLY need YOU and your SUPPORT Aim to re-open the shop by end July To achieve this we need solid support from the village Share purchase pledges Donations Confirmed volunteers – at least 30 Committee members People to use the shop – often, regularly People to spread the word beyond the village

NO SUPPORT MEANS NO SHOP!

Next steps Register Community Benefit Society Apply for Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme Advance Assurance Open Bank Account Apply for Grants Issue Prospectus Collect Cash Finalise Lease Appoint Manager Re-furbish and re-stock shop Open Shop!

Questions? Rod Stanley – Bell David McDonnell Tim Thomas Elaine Thomas Alan Collard – Plunkett Foundation

Thank You