Online network launch is the start of a new era for community-owned shops
The launch of a new online network has been hailed as the start of a new era for community-owned village shop development in the UK. The network, hosted by the Plunkett Foundation, enables people involved in setting up and running community-owned shops to communicate with each other, share ideas and experience across the UK and be inspired by others.
The new network (www.plunkett.uk.net) was launched on Friday 12 March at Thorncombe Community-Owned Village Shop in West Dorset by Oliver Letwin MP who alongside being Thorncombe’s local MP is also a volunteer at the shop. The event was attended by a number of community-owned village shops, support organisations and local communities interested in setting up community-owned shops.
Peter Couchman, Oliver Letwin MP and Roger Barnes, Chair of Thorncombe Village Shop launching the network
Oliver Letwin MP launching the Community Shops Network said: “The network will allow shops to share lessons learnt and share innovation. There are many different talents involved in community-owned shops across the country. The network will allow shops to share these.”
Peter Couchman, Chief Executive of the Plunkett Foundation speaking at the launch said: “The launch of the new Community Shops Network is a landmark in the development of community-owned village shops in the UK. Community-owned shops such as Thorncombe have proven that when you harness the creativity of a whole community, you will have a shop that is a real asset to everyone. The new online network will encourage community-owned shops to share their wealth of experience and ideas in order to help each other and to help support the increasing number of rural communities who are turning to community-ownership to save or reintroduce vital services.”
Peter Couchman speaking at the launch
The new network already has over 150 members who are all involved in some way in running or setting up a community-owned shop.
Thorncombe Village Shop is one of 233 community-owned village shops across the UK, 38 of which opened in 2009 alone. It was supported by the Village CORE Programme, a dedicated funding and advisory programme for communities looking to set up a community-owned village shop, which has supported 47 new shops to open to date.
The Plunkett Foundation is advising the producers of BBC Radio 4’s soap The Archers with their community-owned shop storyline.
Thank you to all at Thorncombe Village Shop for providing such an inspiring location to hold the launch event and for their hospitality throughout.
The new Community Shops Network - register online at www.plunkett.uk.net