Case Study - Headley with Ashford Hill – Village Community Grant Scheme
Overview
The community, which comprises two hamlets, Headley and Ashford Hill, rallied round to save Headley Village Shop and Post Office from closure upon the retirement of the shop manger/Postmaster in June 2008 and turn it into a Community Shop.
Background
The PO was not scheduled to be closed but would have become a much reduced outreach service. Headley with Ashford Hill Community Shop Association was formed, with nine committee members, and has been running the shop for a year. Led by Chairman Mike Aspray, the manager of a local vet surgery, it applied to HCC under the Village Community Grant Scheme for funding towards taking over the shop and purchasing the fixtures and fittings, newspapers’ supply deposit, and for first year operational costs.
Impact on community
Headley and Ashford Hill have a combined 1,200 residents with a notable elderly population for whom the shop is a vital resource. Situated on Ashford Hill Road, it is highly visible, with parking and serves a wide area. The shop benefits from both extensive local support and passing commuter trade. The nearest other PO is at Kingsclere (3.5 miles) with main shopping centres at Newbury (5 miles) or Basingstoke (12 miles).
Funding
With advice from ViRSA, Headley with Ashford Hill Community Shop Association applied to HCC under the Village Community Grant Scheme for £15,000, with the backing of a supportive community. The Community Association raised £1,600 from share issues, £5,000 from donations and interest-free loans and organised a £10,000 bridging loan from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.ViRSA provided financial support too, through the Village CORE Programme (a £10,000 loan and a £10,000 grant).
Outcome
Headley with Ashford HillCommunity Association’s application was granted and the shop/PO now has a full-time manager, Sue Gillingham.
It closed on June 27, 2008, at midday, and aside of opening for Sunday papers, was cleared out, painted and restocked to open for business as usual on the Monday morning! Disruption was kept to a minimum.
It opens seven days a week as a full service PO and shop, with Sue assisted by various part-time staff and greatly valued volunteers.
Space restricts what can be displayed, but local fruit and vegetables are now sold or donated by villagers (with a contributions’ box for monies which go to the Shop Association), as well as fresh bread, cakes, preserves, and popular rare breed pig products from Stark House Farm. It offers a dry cleaning drop off and collect service as well as acting as a parcel drop off/collection point, which is handy for different sections of the community: those who work from home and use the PO frequently, plus homes where both partners work full-time and are out all day.
With help from a retired IT worker resident, it has developed a website which features the opening hours, news and information and local links.
Feedback
Mike Aspray: “Everything happened so quickly. The Parish Council Chairman held a meeting on March 8, 2008, to announce the impending closure. By June 30, we had formed an action group which morphed into a formally registered company, raised the required funds, took over the lease, sourced suppliers, recruited staff, refurbished the shop and reopened for business – it was only closed for a single Saturday afternoon!
The shop and PO are vital to the community – it’s popular and well used, and 99% are pleased with future expansion plans, which involve moving to nearby premises. Having a larger shop with a community space would really bring a heart and soul to the village, but it’s early days. Turnover is fairly consistent, but we suffered a £4,000 loss in our first year and need to turn that around and boost revenue. Staff costs have increased, because the previous owner worked extremely long hours and now we have various staff, one full-time, and the rest part-time. This project has had a cohesive and positive effect on the community – the committee members, staff, volunteers and shareholders and of course the customers, who continue to support us on a daily basis.”
Sue Gillingham: “It’s really a question of space here – we’re keen to stock more than essential items, and are open to featuring new products or services, such as offering a delivery service. It makes sense, as papers are already delivered by car, plus we plan to apply for an alcohol licence to capitalise on Christmas trade.”
Future
A major project will be the expansion of the shop and PO, with dedicated facilities (at present the lavatory is part of the landlord’s private home). The Community Shop Association costed developing the garage, but its preferred option is to move to the redundant Headley Baptist Church, about a quarter of mile away at Thornford Road. Empty since 2003, this building is ideally suited to becoming the new village shop and PO, as it was bought for the Community Shop Association with a view to being used rent-free, plus it has parking opposite. However, £80,000 is needed to adapt the building. 99% of the community is supportive of this development and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has granted planning permission, with ongoing negotiations about opening times. As well as a much expanded shop and PO, this building, in the heart of the community, would offer space for art and craft events and possibly an internet café in the long term.
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 September 2009 by HCC Economic Development Office
Pix: interior, exterior, Janet Rock (left) with Sue Gillingham (right), Headley Baptist Church