Site directory
|
A community-run shop in West Oxfordshire
Green Santa goes shopping Ascott Shop is one of six community shops run on co-operative principles in West Oxfordshire and the number is increasing across England. Rural communities are finding it is often the only way to have a shop in the village. The first thing you see when you enter Ascott Shop are the wicker shopping baskets rather than plastic ones; and this sets the eco-friendly tone to this very attractive village shop. As well as convenience goods, on sale are local products such as meats, eggs, honey, flour, beers, wines, bread and cakes. Fruit and vegetables are displayed in open baskets with minimal packaging. Alan Chubb lives in Ascott under Wychwood and is Chair of the Shop Management Committee. He said, "The local food products are very popular and 21 of our 31 suppliers are from within a 30 mile radius. We have several deliveries throughout the week so food is always fresh and we are usually able to accommodate specific requests. "We also try to cut down on packaging as much as possible and have produced our own Ascott Village reusable shopping bag made from 100% recyclable products. "There are environmental benefits to local shopping; many of our customers pop in for their daily provisions so they are buying exactly what they need avoiding wastage and travelling further afield." What makes Ascott Village Shop special too is that it is staffed by 41volunteers and 4 part time staff. Out of a village of 400 people, this means that one in 10 works in the shop. Before Ascott Shop was set up in 2003 there had been no shop in the village for 5 years. Residents set about fundraising and obtained grants including European funding from the LEADER+ initiative via the District Council. Help has also come from the village shop project run by the Plunkett Foundation, the Oxfordshire Food Group and the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council. |
Do it onlineGo to My West Oxfordshire for all your local information or view all online services Let us know about any problems with our website File downloadsView all Publications and register for email alerts when they are updated. Skip navigation Complaints procedure |
||
|
Email alert |
