Shop Now Open for Business
Background
Following the closure of ‘Coombe Lane Stores’ a local resident looked at alternative options. Enquiries led to the Village Retail Services Association (VIRSA) and the concept of a Community Shop. Contact was made with a ViRSA business advisor and advice was given regarding the way forward.
A questionnaire was sent out to all 700 households of Hughenden Valley. The questionnaire explained the concept of a community shop. Residents were asked a wide range of questions such as shoping habits, preferred range of products, siting of the shop etc. The response rate of almost 24% of all residents was excellent (according to marketing advisors based on usual response data for non-incentive questionnaires). Of these responses 98% were in favour of a shop facility being reinstated.
Following this positive response a volunteer steering committee was formed to look further at the options for an alternative village shop. The Steering Committee researched other community shops, their turnover, product lines and services. Combining this with local knowledge such as demographics and market information the Steering Committee felt confident in actively taking the project forward. Further contact was made with the ViRSA business advisor and an initial assessment was that a community shop would certainly be viable in Hughenden Valley.
Various sites in the village were considered for housing the shop including a warehouse, plots of land, the former village shop retail space and the Village Hall area. With the exception of the Village Hall area all other sites were ruled out due to concerns about accessibility, availability, or on the advice of the Planning Department of Wycombe District Council. Visits and research into other community shops clearly indicated that many of the most successful community shops were located next to village halls. The Village Hall was also the preferred location of respondents to the questionnaire.
The Shop Committee contacted the Village Hall Committee to see whether a temporary shop could be located within the Village Hall grounds. Formal discussions took place with the Village Hall Committee and consultation has taken place with the immediate neighbours and they are being kept informed.
Fundraising is on-going even though we are open for business. Share purchase is still required to maintain momentum so demonstrate your interest in supporting us by buying a share. It would be excellent if most of the residents of the Valley felt able to purchase a £10 share in the community shop.
A large number of residents have offered professional and trade services and others have volunteered to work in the shop. Local District Councillors have donated towards the scheme and the Parish Council and Residents Association are backing the project.
Hughenden Valley Shop Association Ltd is now a company formed as an Independent Provident Society for the benefit of the residents of Hughenden Valley and our rules of business are available by clicking here. If you would like to donate or buy a share and have not already done so, please contact us.