Quick tips: building a successful community co-op

Community experts have shared their tips and hints to create a true community store. Jenny Mason from the Feckenham village shop and Chris Buckham of Bretforton community shop...

Community experts have shared their tips and hints to create a true community store. Jenny Mason from the Feckenham village shop and Chris Buckham of Bretforton community shop discuss their strategies and methods, along with thoughts from the Plunkett Foundation.

  1. Shops are the heart and soul of their community – this loyalty is the key to the success of the  store, which gains further strength by adding a sense of participation.
  2. Members keep it alive by shopping there and by volunteering.
  3. Ensure members are aware of what’s going on. Feckenham held an open day in the village hall where it started its recruitment of 40 volunteers, which steadily grew.
  4. Communication with members is also important. To ensure members are in the loop on the co-op’s activities can take part in decisions, the team uses the parish magazine, leaflet drops,social media and regular public meetings.
  5. Delegate responsibilities: at many community stores volunteers are not expected to do too much and work around three hours per week.
  6. People like to do things together. Feckenham unites the community through other activities such as organising an entertainments committee, an over-60s group and a cinema in the village hall.
  7. Engage the community in the products that you sell. Feckenham has 900 product lines, created in conjunction with community needs.
  8. By stocking local produce, you are also helping to support the local economy. Bretforton works with the local baker and butcher, instead of doing these things themselves.
  9. Finding an expert in your co-op’s sector can save time and money. The biggest challenge for Bretforton was making sure they had the right equipment and stocking levels right.
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