| County | Gloucestershire, South West |
|---|---|
| Postcode | GL11 6DT |
| Opened | 2002 |
| Post Office | Yes |
| Management | Managed plus volunteers |
| Premises | Previous shop |
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North Nibley Village Shop celebrated their fifth anniversary on 1st September 2006 with a small gathering of volunteers and customers.
When the future of the only local shop and Post Office in the small Gloucestershire village of North Nibley looked uncertain, the village members joined forces to save a vital part of their local community.
The business is a valued part of village life in North Nibley, providing much-needed local services for local people. Apart from the Post Office, the shop sells general groceries and newspapers and a range of seasonal local produce, including meat, cheeses, drinks and fruit. A large proportion of the local community played a direct part in confronting the threat to the shop, attending village meetings, establishing a shop committee and even making substantial pledges themselves. Its survival depended in part on raising money and the villagers immediately set about looking for crucial finance as well as organising long-term plans for the shop’s future.
The villagers the shop serves also actively participate in delivering the service itself. Along with the Post Office, the enterprise is managed by a combination of paid and voluntary staff so that the community benefits from a shop that is open seven days a week.
By working together, North Nibley’s small local shop and Post Office was saved. Loan finance from Triodos Bank customers helped the Village Shop Association to buy the shop, together with grant funding from the Countryside Agency. North Nibley villagers continue to support this local enterprise demonstrating what can be achieved when local people take control of their future.
Article from http://www.triodos.co.uk/.../68033?lang
A shop has been officially taken over by villagers after an 18 month battle to keep it open.
North Nibley Village Store is now owned by a group of residents who set up a charitable organisation called the North Nibley Village Shop Association.
“It’s really exciting. There’s a real buzz around the shop,” said store committee chairman Sue Parslow.
“It’s been hard work and we’ve needed a lot of determination but this is a very close-knit village and we didn’t want to lose the shop.”
The shop was put up for sale early last year and the villagers knew they would have to take strong action to stop it from closing.
“We knew if we didn’t do something it would become a dwelling,” said committee member Tony Temlett.
“It’s taken a long time but it’s really brought the village together.”
Many villagers made financial commitments to the project and volunteers help run the store.
Mrs Parslow explained: “We’ve got a paid manager and a part-time post-mistress but we’ve also got volunteer shop assistants, volunteers delivering papers and people providing us with fresh produce to sell.
“The hard work doesn’t stop here. We could always do with more committee members to help share the load.”
Any profits will be used to refurbish the premises and to offer bursaries to village children.
Article from the Gloucestershire Gazette, September 13, 2002
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