Danehill and Chelwood Gate Community Shop

A Community Shop for Danehill and Chelwood Gate


	As many residents of the Parish might already know Gary and Sharon, the owners of the Danehill Stores, have worked extremely hard to develop their business. They have now decided that they want to move on to different things and they intend to dispose of their interest in the shop and premises. You may also know that a steering committee was set up in Chelwood Gate over a year ago to investigate opening a Community Shop in Chelwood Gate to replace the village shop which closed four years ago. Although after consultation it was decided that it was too expensive to acquire new premises from which to start a shop from scratch and there were concerns about the effect of a community shop in Chelwood Gate on Gary and Sharon's business in Danehill, this investigation led to the instigation of the very successful "Village markets" selling local produce. Gary and Sharon have approached the steering committee to offer first refusal of the freehold of the house and shop premises to the community, with Gary and Sharon taking a lease back of the house. The benefits of this proposal for the community are obvious: It would ensure the continued existence of the village shop as an important focal point of the Parish. It would enable members of the community to own the shop and, thus, have a stake in its success. The shop and premises would be owned by a specially formed Industrial Provident Society and any profits would be ploughed back into the Parish. In addition to the service the shop already provides there could be deliveries to the disabled and elderly and include provision for an outlet for local producers and the sale of vegetables and fruit produced by villagers under a "crop for the village" scheme. The shop would be largely staffed by volunteers which would keep down overheads and result in a higher turnover/profit ratio to be achieved. Because you, as community investors, would own the shop you would be more likely to use it and ensure its success. Obviously there is a substantial cost associated with purchasing the shop. It is envisaged that the purchase price will be in the region of £450,000 which will need to be raised. We believe that some grants and commercial loans will be available. It will be necessary to raise a good proportion of the funds, in fact as much as possible, from you: From the sale of shares, from donations of whatever size or from long term interest free loans. Many other communities have gone down this same route with great success - for examples and information see our Danehill and Chelwood Gate Community Shop website (www.dhcgcommunityshop.co.uk) and keep a look out for our DHCG Community Shop Information Points around the villages which will have more detailed information. We have the support and have access to the advice and expertise of John Evans of Sussex Enterprise and Alan Wyle of Rural Sussex in relation to this project. Danehill & Chelwood Gate Community Shop Steering Group.
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