Village shops all over Mid Devon have come into their own during the current crisis. Even those run by volunteers are working hard to get food and supplies to their customers. David Plumridge, Chair of Cheriton Fitzpaine Community Shop, describes how the village rallied round to save their shop, which is now playing a crucial role in keeping people fed and safe during lockdown.
Our community shop first became essential when our one and only village shop closed in December 2016. The village changed overnight. People stopped coming out to shop. Vital social interaction was reduced. A community-run village shop was proposed and the village rallied round. Out of a village population of about 750, 185 became shareholders, for a minimum stake of £20 per share each. The villagers raised in the region of £30,000 within weeks, which prompted grant-offering bodies to come up with a further £48,000 plus. A massive resource of willing volunteers divided into various “action groups” (finance and fund-raising; publicity and marketing; shop management; buildings), and, with a considerable injection of advice from the Plunkett Organisation, a business was formed and a new shop was built and opened within 18 months of the closure of our original shop. A part-time manager was appointed. The village came alive again!
Then came Covid-19!
The shop traded normally for as long as we were allowed. Then, as more of our more senior volunteers went into self-isolation, and social-distancing became the norm, the shop opening hours were drastically reduced and a major new initiative was launched into a home delivery service, which was good news to those who no longer wished to join long queues at the supermarkets.
Our shop is now open for normal shopping from 9am to 12 noon each day (except Sundays). Card only payments; no cash. In addition, orders can be placed by phone or e-mail, or by filling in one of the order forms in the dispenser by the front door of the shop. Orders received by 1pm will be delivered free to the village and our neighbouring villages that same day, or, you can order as above and collect yourself. (No deliveries on Wednesdays, and orders received from outside the EX17 4 postcode area will be serviced on a collection-only basis)
CHERITON FITZPAINE COMMUNITY SHOP LTD
HIGH STREET (in the Methodist Chapel car-park) EX17 4JA
TEL: 01363 866308
E-MAIL: cfcommunityshop@gmail.com
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