They say it can't be done... so here's a typical success story, this one from the village of East Knoyle:

East Knoyle is a rural community with a population of 600 (electoral role). The nearest town is Shaftesbury which is 5 miles away. When the Post Office at East Knoyle closed at the end of February 2004, the community and parish council decided to create a community post office and shop which opened in June 2006.

It is wholly run by volunteers and pays no wages. We started with 28 volunteers and have since trained about 80, though the core is about 35-40. New people to the village see it as a way of getting into the community!

The shop is open 7am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 9-12 Sunday, and is a not-for-profit Industrial Provident Society which was funded by grants and the community, but which is owned by the parish council as it is on their land.

The last financial year turned over £228,000 at a gross profit approaching £40,000. Our community has a market for both supermarket and delicatessen lines so we stock both. We are often cheaper than Tesco’s, and are certainly much cheaper than deli shops!

Keith Shipman Manager (volunteer)
www.eastknoyle.org.uk

 

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