The Wallops nov2011
Overview
The Wallops Village Shop Association Ltd applied to the Hampshire County Council/SEEDA funded Village Community Grant Scheme (VCGS) for £18,588 to cover the cost of replacing a separate Post Office Counter with shop run Post Office Local services, and to provide new products and services. Despite being spacious with good staff, much of the space was devoted to general goods, cards and sweets, with few products that were local or different. Consequently, much of the many local community people never used the shop – except during bad weather!
Background
The Wallops Shop is run by the Village Shop Association, which is committed to retaining a local shop. It is housed in an extension to a house belonging to a previous owner, from whom it is leased. Manager Charlotte Evans works part time, supported by two other part time staff and three volunteers.
The Post Office’s decision to transfer the sorting office from Wallop to Winchester and withdraw the counter operation at Over Wallop was seen as a move which could have led to closure. However, the PO gave the Association the option to take over the counter facility, to be rebranded as Post Office Local, which occurred in February 2011 as part of the refit. It offers a two-fold benefit, with commissions made through transactions being paid to the Shop, and the added convenience of PO services being available whenever the Shop is open.
Community impact
The Wallops Shop is located at Pound Road, Over Wallop, seven miles from Stockbridge in Test Valley District. A The village with has a church, pub, village hall and preschool, and older children use the bus to attend schools at Nether Wallop and Stockbridge. Well-signposted from the centre of Over Wallop, the shop has parking outside and more further along the road. An active community, comprising around 3,000 people, there are organisations for all ages and interest, from the WI and Horticultural Society to Field Club and Wallop Artists.
Although located in Over Wallop, the shop also serves Nether Wallop and Middle Wallop, including the Army Air Corps Centre. It is the only shop of its kind in the area; other retail outlets are a garage shop in Middle Wallop and wine shop in Nether Wallop. Although there is some local employment, many salaried professionals commute. The closest large towns are Stockbridge (seven miles) and Andover (nine miles).
Funding
A site visit in January 2011 revealed considerable potential for the shop to improve its offering. An application for £18,588 was submitted – and subsequently approved – with support from Test Valley Borough Council, Over Wallop and Nether Wallop Parish Councils, and the owners of the property to which the shop is attached.
Outcome
The Shop Association drew up a marketing plan after the 2010 Hampshire County Council Village Shops’ Conference, and through this a refit was identified as the ideal opportunity to relaunch the shop, featuring new products and serving hot drinks/pastries inside and outside. The refit was completed during a weekend in February 2011.
The work undertaken included: building work to incorporate the new PO Local counter, secure office and postal area; electrical work; tidying and provision of proper storage on the frontage; refurbish some worn flooring; office equipment (the office has been moved and a kitchen installed), an exterior awning and paper stand, freezer, and air conditioning. Some of the grant was used to market the shop – ‘fresh, friendly and green!’ – and develop a website A kitchen, bake-off oven, coffee maker and heated display produce goods which can be enjoyed inside or outside in fine weather.
Open from 7am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, 8am-5.30pm Saturday and 8am-12pm Sunday, there are two-fold benefits: the PO Local ease of use as a pre-school or work option for customers, and the range of fresh, new and appealing produce. The PO Local offers everything from stamps and pre-ordered travel money to banking and rod fishing licences.
The shop sells Greenfield Pork sausages and bacon – which usually disappears as soon as it hits the shelves – local eggs from East Park Farm, homemade cakes and muffins, freshly baked bread and local meringues, rapeseed oil from Grateley, plus a good selection of essential tinned and dried goods, chilled and frozen items, fresh fruit and vegetables, alcohol and greeting cards. Surplus allotment produce is also donated by villagers.
Feedback
Janet Clarke, Treasurer, Shop Association: “The customer reaction has been really positive. The shop seems much larger and the work has been well received, especially with comments on how well the space has been used. We’ve deliberately kept the middle clear, as two queues can form for the PO and shop tills. It has to be a balance for the use of space; yes, we could get more produce in, but our customers prefer this way. Because we don’t have a lot of storage space and we don’t double face our stock-keeping and ordering has to be precise. However, for Christmas, with additional cards, wrapping and gifts, we will have to use the centre area.”
Lindsay Murray-Twinn, artist and Chairman, Over Wallop Parish Council:
“I think a lot of people were concerned about the PO changes, but it’s working very well in the new form; having seen it’s running, it’s very good and efficient. The shop has always been at the centre of our community, it’s important for more frail residents, and lovely to see it thriving. The new layout is clean and welcoming. The grant could not have come at a better time, because it’s given it a new lease of life. We hope more newcomers will use it now that it has been improved.”
Edward Souter, Chairman, Nether Wallop Parish Council:
“The Wallops Shop is a valuable asset to the villages,providing access to: shopping, newspapers and Post Office services to a comparatively isolated community where public transport provides limited access to the nearest towns and shopping areas. In the current economic climate it is doubtful whether the shop could have survived without receiving a grant. Although teams of volunteers have kept the shop going, additional finance was required for essential items needing replacement to keep the business going.”
Chris and Jill Lovett: “We come in regularly for coffee and cake and it’s lovely to meet up with people; it’s an important focal point for the community.”
Future
The Shop Association is considering offering more Hampshire Fare produce and would like to install an EPOS till system. Charlotte is keen to stock Broughton Water Buffalo organic meat and lamb from nearby Nutley Farm, both of which have been requested by customers.
Funding facts and contacts
The Hampshire County Council/SEEDA funded 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 which has so far awarded grants to 22 shops.
For more information: www3.hants.gov.uk/business/rural-initiatives/villagegrant.htm or contact:
Published in November 2011 by HCC Economic Development Office
Pix:
All pix with permission.
Customer Mrs Hopkins (pink sweater) at the PO Local till with manager Charlotte Evans.
Janet Clarke (orange tee shirt) Shop Association Treasurer at the till.
Julie Cleife (Charlotte’s mother), who does all the baking and cake-making, in front of the ovens.
Chris and Jill Lovett enjoying coffee and cakes at the inside table.
Interior and exterior shots, including local produce and signage.