Restoring a sense of connection

The cafe provides opportunities for chat between friends and relaxed workspace

The secret to their success in getting to this point has been belief – belief that the village deserved a shop and café that brought people together, and belief that they could achieve it themselves.

Once the first few people stepped forward to volunteer their skills, others followed. Architects, designers, builders, engineers, parents from the school, young people starting their careers – everyone offered what they could.

As Michelle Davies, from the committee, writes: “That generosity created momentum. Residents saw that this wasn’t just a fundraising appeal; it was a shared mission. People weren’t donating to a building; they were investing in the future of village life.”

Michelle adds, “We’ve always said that reopening a shop wasn’t enough – we wanted to restore a sense of connection.

“The old shop was where people checked in on each other, shared news, and felt part of something. The new shop and café are taking that further. It’s a place where people can meet, linger, feel welcome, and feel proud of what the community has created.

“We hope it becomes a hub for wellbeing, friendship, local creativity, and everyday kindness. It’s a space that belongs to everyone – and we want people to feel that every time they walk through the door.”

The shop boasts more than 70 volunteers of all ages – significantly more than the average 28 volunteers in community shops from across the UK. They range from teenagers gaining confidence and work experience to retirees who bring decades of wisdom.

Michelle says, “We offer structured training for café skills, customer service, food hygiene, and retail operations, and we’re building pathways for people who want to develop new skills or return to work.

“The shop and café are run by the community, so there’s a role for everyone – whether they want a regular shift, a behind the scenes task, or a chance to learn something new.”

Some of the shop and cafe volunteers

Aside from volunteering, another way Plunkett encourages community-owned businesses to have impact is through sustainable environmental initiatives – something the team at Downderry and Seaton has prioritised from the very start.

The fit out was achieved with minimal waste, using local tradespeople and materials wherever possible. They are committed to reducing single use plastics, sourcing locally, and offering refill options in time. Suppliers reflect our values — ethical, sustainable, and community minded.

Michelle explains, “We see the shop as a place where small everyday choices can add up to a meaningful impact, and we want to make it easy for residents to shop in a way that aligns with their principles.”

Village people can shop locally again

Plunkett has been pleased to have played a part in assisting the group at Downderry and Seaton from the moment they were exploring community ownership in 2023, and when they became Plunkett Members.

It’s another example of what can be achieved when a community believes in itself, and the shop joins the 850 other community-owned businesses across the UK that are inclusive, resilient and thriving.

Michelle says that Plunkett’s support has been invaluable for them, especially during the early stages when the path forward wasn’t always clear. “Plunkett has provided expertise we simply couldn’t have accessed elsewhere – from governance to business planning to understanding what makes community shops thrive.

“Knowing we had Plunkett behind us gave the committee confidence, and it reassured the community that this was a credible, sustainable project worth backing.”