Hampstead Norreys is at the heart of the village; it is a vital part of village life and is financially successful. The main issue solved by having the shop is community cohesion.
About Hampstead Norreys Community Shop
Before the shop opened in 2011, most people travelled six miles or more to buy goods and the village lacked a social and focal point. Now the broad range of products and services caters for a wide-ranging customer base from the immediate community and beyond.
Journey
When villagers lost both their shop and post office, residents were deprived of an important local service and community space. Deciding to take action, the villagers came together to set up a community shop and social hub – Hampstead Norreys Community Shop.
They found a new site, raised funds through donations, grants and a community share offer, and in 2011 opened the new facility. Run with the support of 30 volunteers and several paid staff, the business provides a place for residents to meet, sells locally-sourced products and offers a wide range of services. Some 460 of the village’s 800 residents own shares in the community shop and get to input into the shop’s direction.
Diversification and impact
The shop sells as many locally-sourced products as possible. In this way, the shop stimulates the local economy through localised supply chains.
The shop provides a wide range of services and amenities that communities value and need including everyday essentials, plus more special items and gifts. There is a café, a meeting point, a lunch club, children’s activities, a winter market, parcel reception and prescription collection.
There is flexible and variable part-time working and volunteer hours, allowing those with caring responsibilities to work. The business allows part-time employment for students, giving work experience and the opportunity to earn, and provides many Duke of Edinburgh scheme volunteering opportunities.
The shop tackles climate change through a delivery of environmentally sustainable initiatives, and promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion by creating safe and welcoming spaces for all.
Members of the community often hold small informal meetings in the café. There is also a lunch club every Wednesday.
The shop is promoted to locals with a news item every month in the local broadsheet magazine, plus Facebook and Instagram posts almost daily. Newcomers moving into the village are visited, and given information about the shop and a voucher to spend.
Visitors from local cycling clubs know the shop and are welcomed. Occasional items in the local newspaper spreads the work a bit further than the village too.
The shop and café aims to constantly innovate. It introduces new products almost every week and changes the menu in the café regularly.
Watch
Find out how Hampstead Norreys Community Shop are supporting the local community in this informative case-study film highlighting their impact:
We’re here to help you thrive
You can find out more about how Plunkett are helping businesses to futureproof by downloading our recent report into the Future of Rural Retail.
If you have any questions about this case study, your community-owned business, or you would like to find out more about Plunkett UK’s work please email info@plunkett.co.uk or call 01993 630022.
