The Store is the Core

Lead Partner: Plunkett Foundation

Description

This programme examines how village shops can be developed into multi-service outlets. The work will be undertaken through ViRSA (Village Retail Services Association) – now managed by Plunkett. Other partners will include the Scottish Community Retailing Network, South West mayo Development Company and the Countryside and Community Research Unit of the University of Gloucester (Dr Malcolm Moseley). The participating communities are:

Sulgrave Community Shop in Northamptonshire http://www.sulgrave.org/

 

 

 

Uig Community on the isle of Lewis
http://www.uigandbernera.com/

 

Killeen Community Centre in Mayo http://www.southmayo.com/

 

The group distinguish between ‘statutory’ and ‘discretionary’ services. Statutory services in rural areas are threatened by centralisation of provision and reducing budgets. Discretionary services are threatened when the private sector withdraws. These trends are long-term and structural and cannot be addressed cosmetically or through short-term projects. Rather the changes in service delivery need to be as fundamental. Plunkett are keen to develop sustainable models for community led service delivery that can be adopted by other groups. The public sector needs to participate by examining complementary use of village outlets for their services. Communities also have to take on this ‘new deal’ as a responsibility they individually have for the well being of the whole community.

Contact Details

Gill Withers and Donna Smith

ViRSA - The Village Retail Services Association

Plunkett Foundation

The Quadrangle
Woodstock
Oxfordshire
OX20 1LH

Tel: 01993 814 377
E-mail: gill.withers@plunkett.co.uk

           donna.smith@plunkett.co.uk 

Website: http://www.plunkett.co.uk