Shop News

From Nenthead Community Wiki

1 Update: July 2007
2 Update: May 2007
3 Update: March 2007
4 Update: Wednesday, 31 January 2007
5 In the News
6 Resources

Update: July 2007

(from the Ward meeting minutes, 30th July 2007)

Sally Orrell represented Nenthead Community Village Shop Committee: Good progress towards opening a Village Shop at the site of the Over 60s goes ahead.

The next stage is to gain permission for change of use. The request will be considered by 23.08.07 and if that goes ahead all the terms required for a 99 year lease will all be in place.

The Nenthead Community Village Shop Committee has had advice from the Post Office and from the Penrith Cooperative to give guidance on setting up a co-op and organising the requirements for a Post Office. The Post Office will require a secure box as well as some way to secure the building when shut.

The ‘style’ will be new style Post Office (like the Melmerby Post Office). The Nenthead Community Village Shop Committee has been proactive in talking to members of the community to enlist their views on what they would like from the shop. For example there will be newspapers but this will start on an order only basis while the business develops.

The Committee is exploring different building security options and it is hoped that it will be possible to line the existing traditional wooden shutters with metal to give security but to also keep the traditional look of the building. It is a listed building so the Nenthead Community Village Shop Committee has to work within certain parameters and requirements.

Brian Aves asked when it would be open and Sally Orrell replied that the Committee is working towards Autumn 2007. Although the shop will be in place before the Post Office element of service and as a community we will still have to defend keeping the Post Office.

Sally Orrell presented an update to transfer of activities from the Over 60s building to the Village Hall. There are two main issues that have to be addressed:

The refurbishment of one existing room to make a space suitable for meetings and events such as craft activities.

As the room that has been identified as suitable is upstairs a stair lift will be a priority and the Village Hall Committee has been taking advice from a Disability Access Advisor. There is a lot of work to be done and the Village Hall Committee is asking for volunteers. Volunteers should contact Christine Habberjam.

Update: May 2007

(from the Ward meeting minutes, 21st May 2007)

On behalf of the Nenthead Community Village Shop Committee Sally Orrell reported the following progress: Following abortive attempt to secure the site of the Nenthead Post Office as premises for the Nenthead Community Village Shop the Committee were putting together an alternative plan.

Following the Over 60s AGM the Village Shop Committee had been approached by the Nenthead Over 60s Committee as responsible for the Over 60s Rest Room building to offer the building as an alternative site for the Community Shop.

The Community Village Shop Committee believe that this could be a possible and potentially viable alternative offering the space for the shop and a community meeting place for the villagers. Stock could be kept at levels that meet demands but also leave enough space for tables and chairs to be set up to create a comfortable and relaxed meeting area.

The Village Shop Committee is currently in discussions with: the charity commission, shareholder funders, the Post office, Eden District council and trustees of the Over 60s Rest Room building (Hazel Kendrick, Ken Rutherford, Sid Wilson and David Robinson).

Dick Phillips and Tony Pennell enquired about what would happen to the other users of the Rest Room building. Sally Orrell replied that the Over 60s and the W.I. would use either Nenthead Primary School or the Village Hall and the Methodist Chapel would use the Church or the Village Hall.

Update: March 2007

Nenthead Community Village Shop March 2007 Update

Update: Wednesday, 31 January 2007

As from this week we are now incorporated as Nenthead Community Shop Limited which means that we can go ahead with the purchase.

Angela is sending out letters to everyone who has expressed interest in buying shares with details and an application form. Hopefully we will be able to exchange contracts within a few weeks.

We'll post more information here as soon as we have it.