Grayshott Village Post Office Village Community Grant Scheme Case Study
Overview
Michelle and Noel Reidy’s business represents a lifestyle change. They bought the property in 2005, moving to live above the premises in 2007. They view developing Grayshott Village Post Office through its café – the Grayshott Galette – and the Internet room as a long-term investment and have committed a substantial amount of their own money towards the venture. As Post Office sales have dropped by around 60% and it’s a constant battle to retain services, this ambitious project has been designed to increase footfall and boost profit margins.
Background
The traditional fortress-style PO is well stocked with a vast range of cards, stationery, wrapping paper, calendars, gifts for instant mailing (including items featuring historic connections to Grayshott). The Reidys applied for funding towards a café extension and Internet room from the Village Community Grant Scheme to provide a meeting point for regulars and attract footfall from visitors/business people, as well as the ‘smart set’ who travel from the surrounding area to patronise the upmarket shops.
The Reidys have lived in the village since 1998. Michelle is the Postmistress, assisted by four part time staff, some of whom also double up in the café. The PO sells travel insurance, stocks popular foreign currencies and still issues tax discs.
Impact on community
Situated in the centre of the village on Crossways Road, the Post Office is one of some 20 shops and three other cafes, one on the outskirts attached to a farm shop, another at Grayshott Pottery and an informal one with limited seating. Grayshott, with a community of 2,500 people, is well known for its shops and Pottery, which attract visitors from not only nearby, but further afield. The nearest alternative shopping centres are Hindhead (1 mile), Liphook (4 miles) and Whitehill Bordon (8 miles).
Funding
The Reidys applied to the Village Community Grant Scheme for both café extension and Internet room funding, but with other cafes in the village, the former raised the issue of EU State Aid competition rules, so costings were submitted purely for the Internet room.
Outcome
Grayshott Village Post Office received a grant of £13,054 for construction of an Internet room and equipment, which comprises four PCs, printers and a laptop (wi-fi throughout premises). East Hampshire District Council provided £5,000 for the washroom with disabled access/baby change, and the Reidys covered additional costs.
Refurbishment, using local contractors, began in April 2008 and was completed in February 2009, with the PO open for business throughout. The final touch to this immaculate café was contemporary artwork from Gallery One across the road.
The PO has therefore evolved to encompass a wide range of services in the heart of the community and business is growing steadily. The Internet café is used by around seven people a day, whilst the spacious café (seating 34 inside, 14 outside) has achieved the desired ‘WOW’ factor. It’s supported by a regular clientele and when the PO closes at midday on Saturday, it has been noted that footfall to nearby shops has increased, due to the café remaining open. The Reidys and staff have an excellent rapport with regulars in both the café and PO.
Feedback
Michelle Reidy: “A coffee shop idea had been germinating since 1998, when I worked as a part time assistant in the PO. I could see the potential, but now the work is complete it’s really taking off: we have regular lunchers; the knitting club meets here in term time; Grayshott Carers’ Support Group holds an informal drop in session which it intends to make formal in September; we have an ideal meeting point for business people, especially as the entire village has free parking.”
Noel Reidy: “My background is sales and marketing, but this is a complete lifestyle change for us all – it’s extremely hard work, but also very rewarding and enjoyable. We know our regulars and that they value and support us.”
Stan Herrett, retired to the village three years ago, lunches daily with his wife Margaret: “It’s the service that makes it so special; it's rare to find such fantastic service, a warm, genuinely friendly welcome, with quality food at an affordable price. I think they have done a wonderful job in creating this.”
Future
Local produce and suppliers are very important to the Reidys who produce home baked quiches, jacket potatoes and delicious cakes, plus smoothies from a Headley Down company. The Reidys are open-minded about considering new products and stocking new lines, as and when resources and customer interest permits. They are also in discussion with HCC about offering a new “Smarter-Working” business centre within the café for local people and entrepreneurs.
Funding facts and contacts
The Village Community Grant Scheme is targeted primarily at villages with fewer than 5,000 residents, with applications welcome from community associations, village shop associations, parish or district councils and formal voluntary associations. Private businesses may apply if they have the written support of their parish council. Hampshire County Council, in partnership with Community Action Hampshire, the Hampshire Association of Local Councils and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), is running the scheme until June 2011. 12 grants were awarded in year one, 2008/9.
For more information: www3.hants.gov.uk/business/rural-initiatives/villagegrant.htm
Or contact:
Published in August 2009 by HCC Economic Development Office
Pix: interior, exterior, (customers Stan and Margaret Herrett lunching with daughter Sue Browne - with permission), Joshua and Olivia Reidy on the laptop, Michelle Reidy in PO and Internet room.