Villagers bid to run shop
published in the Herald Express, 27/09/2008
A 'SAVE our shop' rallying call has gone out to the residents of Broadhempston which is in danger of losing its village store and post office for the second time in 10 years.
After three years behind the counter, former postman Vaughan Sercombe has decided to move on to something different. Now, unless someone steps in to take it over, the shop will close by the end of the year.
The shop's future looked assured when a local charity expressed intrest and hoped to use it in a unique venture involving adults with learning difficulties. But the deal fell through and the business has been on the market, so far without any takers. Concerned villagers have met to consider running the shop as a community project and a campaign seeking support is being led by local resident Srimati Edgecombe, a business consultant. Devon County Council is to be asked for help and support has also been promised by VIRSA, a charitable organisation which has advised similar projects in other villages that have faced the same problem.
First step will be a parish survey to see what the community thinks of the idea and hoe much supprt there might be. If it proves positive an application will be made for grants and a public meeting will discuss how the shop can be funded and run. "Purchasing the shop collectively as a village community is a very real option" said Srimati Edgecombe. "Many Villages in Devon have done this in recent yeats and we plan to visit some of them to see how it was done.
The irony is that while so many rural post offices face closure, Broadhempston has been given the all clear. We are confident this will form a solid basis to create a viable income and there is a wealth of experience and resources avaliable locally." A letter explaining the situation is going out to every house in the parish asking what residents would like to see in their shop and whether they would support a community run business. "So far the prospects look good," said Srimati. "Ideas already coming forward include expanding the business to include an internet café, extending the opening hours with a team of volunteers, specialising in local food and eco-sustainability, becoming an outlet for a community farm, bakery or apple press, and coordinating a community economy with skills and car sharing, and similar ventures."
The Broadhempston shop closed for 15 months 10 years ago. There was great relief when it was re-opened by Kevin and Julie Jarvis, who ran it successfully before taking over the village pub next door. Vaughan Sercombe used to visit Broadhempston every day as the village postman and it seemed a dream come true when he and his wife Maggie took over the business.
He believes a community venture would rejuvenate the business and says he is prepared to stay on as postmaster to see it well established. Twele parishioners attended the last meeting of Broadhempston parish council to express their concern and the shop will be on the agenda again at the next meeting on October 9.
"The parish council had made it plain it is not in a position to buy the business but it will do all in its power to support a community initiative to keep it open." said Fiona Gibson, the parish clerk.