For most villages the shop is a vital lifeline and for some people, especially those without transport, it is an important connection with the world beyond their front door. It is a meeting place, communication centre and an important lynchpin of village life. Much of the appeal of our village rests on its sense of community. It is the reason many people have moved here and remain here. The presence of a shop would, we feel, greatly enhance that community spirit.

 

A questionnaire is the first step as we need to know your views on what might be provided and what would receive your support. This questionairre can be downloaded form the Files/Downloads section of the webite. It can be printed in PDF format or download in Word format, completed and then submitted online to dave@ashtonkeynes.org.uk.

 

 

We would like to hear from you if you feel you could help in any way with the running of the Village Shop. There will be a wide range of tasks to be done from the initial setting up of the project to managing the enterprise and being involved in the day to day practical operation.

 

This kind of venture has been successfully achieved in other villages with the assistance of the Village Retail Services Association (ViRSA), a charitable activity of the Plunkett Foundation devoted to the establishment of community-owned shops. There are currently around 200 community owned shops and most of these have been set up with the support of ViRSA. Will our village be the next one?

 

 

Dave Sheppard, 20 Eastfield, Ashton Keynes – 01285 860158 – dave@ashtonkeynes.org.uk

 

Guy Bridge, The Old Coach House, 4 Cove House Gardens, Ashton Keynes – 01285 862366 – guybridge@gmail.com