DEVELOPING THE VILLAGE SHOP....
On Sunday 18 May 2008 an event will be held at the Pavilion, Pontrhydfendigaid, Ceredigion, that will provide an opportunity for anyone who runs a Village Shop or is thinking of running one – either as a private or a community venture – to get together with others who are in a similar position.
Village Shops are very different to other businesses and those who run one can feel isolated with no-one to turn to for help and support.
CefnGwlad.org – The Rural Resource project is helping to organise the event at the request of a group of village shop owners in Carmarthenshire. Rhydian Wilson, the Project Co-ordinator said: “This event has been arranged by village shop owners for village shop owners. We hope it will provide a stage for them to discuss and share experiences and to learn from others.”
He added: “Village shops are very important for our rural communities – being both a useful facility and a valuable social centre. We are all aware that these shops face a very uncertain future, but this event will not be focusing on the negative. Instead, it will look at ways of developing these shops to make sure they survive.”
Jonathon Clemo from the charity Norfolk Rural Community Council will talk about the work that he and others have done to develop village shops in Norfolk – a very rural area. The theme of his talk will be ‘The Village Shop as a Community Hub’. The rest of the day will be split into discussion sessions on various topics – ‘Ideas for Marketing’, ‘Opportunities for Developing’, ‘Providing more than Products’ and ‘What Next?’ – with a chance to see presentations by rural shops that have developed successfully.
It is also hoped that various exhibitors will attend – such as the Inland Revenue, VIRSA and the Assembly’s Rural Retail Programme. And there will of course be plenty of opportunities for networking.
In addition, an evening of entertainment and informal networking will be held on the Saturday night, with free camping or caravan spaces available next to the Pavilion, or the CefnGwlad.org project can assist in finding nearby accommodation.
The event will cost £5 a person. Further information is available from CefnGwlad.org – The Rural Resource on 01970-625616 or post@cefngwlad.org.
Notes for Editors