WHITLEY’S new community shop – run and owned by local volunteers – has been hailed as a ‘lifeline’ for villagers since opening last year.
Whitley Stores on Top Lane, which stocks local produce for local people, opened in mid-August last year following a year-long campaign by villagers in Whitley and Shaw to provide a shop for the area.
Since opening, Whitley Stores has served 7,500 customers and sold 15,000 items, and reported a ‘bumper period’ of trading in the run up to Christmas.
“This time last year, the members of the Shaw and Whitley Community Hub steering group were knee deep in research into funding options, busy scoping out possible locations and logistics around the village and putting together a plan that would bring back a village convenience store to serve the community,” said Alison Candlin, on behalf of the Shaw and Whitley Community Hub. “By Christmas, Whitley Stores had completed its first quarter of trading within the Barbastelle premises that have hosted the Whitley village shop for approaching a century.
“We had a bumper trading period in the run-up to Christmas, with customers adding some beautiful locally-produced gift items and a variety of edible festive goodies to their regular baskets of everyday essentials. A staggering £1,500 worth of stamps was purchased over the Christmas period, so although we’re not able to offer a full Post Office service, we can help with the basics.
“On average, our cash turnover is just ahead of our target daily turnover, although some of our costs are proving to be higher than anticipated. For example, Covid has changed purchasing habits nationwide, with a dramatic shift from cash to card purchases that seems to be here to stay.
“Whilst this helps to minimise our banking needs, each card payment comes with a small fee, so now we have settled into our stride, the steering group is looking at alternative suppliers and other ways to trim costs accordingly. We are aiming to break even at the end of year one and build to making a surplus that can be put back into community projects in the near future.
“Whilst it’s obviously important to be commercially viable, Whitley Stores is about far more than just the shop and it has quickly proved to be a really valuable asset in the village. Combating social isolation, providing a place to walk to for the morning paper or something for dinner (and a chat along the way), and offering volunteering opportunities to allow villagers to become more involved in their community – these were the driving reasons behind establishing the business as a community shop; owned, run and supported by the community it is situated in.
“We do our best to support local producers where we can by stocking their crafts and food produce –the Thursday cakes baked by Whitley villager, Ish, are a highlight of the week for some of us! Also, the donated Village Veg offerings were hugely successful last year, so as the growing season approaches, we are looking forward to providing an outlet for gluts of produce from local gardens that can offer fruit and vegetables with the lowest food miles around.”
Whitley Stores has a team of around 50 volunteers, and some have described the shop as a ‘lifeline’ for the village.
“Firstly, as residents of Whitley, we very much missed the shop when it closed down just before the pandemic /lockdown,” said volunteers Shelley and Paul Ackland-Snow. “We know it was unforeseen circumstances, but it was such a shame. We have friends who live in a village near Stroud and we know that they found their community shop a real lifeline during lockdown.
“We are very happy to volunteer to work in the shop when we can, as relatively new to the area, it has enabled us to meet and speak to many people who live and work in the area and learn a bit of history about the village, we enjoy it!
“Overall, we both feel that the community shop has been a great success and gradually as the word spreads, more people are aware of its existence and visit. It is very nice to be able to welcome people and let them know of the produce and varied stock we have. Everyone we speak to is very impressed and very pleased that it has opened.”
Another volunteer added, “This shop and cafe is essential to village life. Loneliness and bereavement have been shared, new friendships have been formed and problems have been discussed and resolved, with meetings in the cafe/shop. This is truly a village coming together and supporting the local produce and the community.”
“If you are interested in joining our team of volunteers,” continues Alison from the Shaw and Whitley Community Hub, “please get in touch by emailing volunteers@ whitleystores.org or drop into the shop and talk to the volunteer on duty.
“They will be able to give you more information about what’s involved and can pass on your details to the steering group. If you would like to find out more about the shop or have comments or suggestions to share, please contact info@whitleystores.org.”
