Author Archive
We Didn’t Win But We Had A Great Day!
Well, we didn’t win, but it was a fantastic day! The standard of shops that were in the final was really high so we can be very proud of getting into the final, especially as we were the only community shop to be recognised. Lots of other exciting things happened. Emma was interviewed by the Telegraph and there is an article with a bit about us and a photo of the shop in the business section today:
And Kirsten was interviewed for BBC Radio Devon (Emma wasn’t brave enough)!
At the Awards, Mel Stride took Emma and Kirsten on a guided tour behind the scenes at Parliament, including watching a debate!
.Staff hoping to be top of the shops
Extract from the Mid Devon Advertiser Friday February 20 2015:
Staff and volunteers at Ilsington’s community shop are hoping a trip to the House of Commons next Wednesday will see them crowned the nation’s top small store.
The business, owned and operated by villagers since 2012, has been shortlisted in the 2015 Parliamentary Best Small Shops Competition.
It is the only community-run venture to have reached the final 20, judges from the All Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group having considered 300 entries.
The good news arrived on Friday the 13th.
The message included a comment from the judges which read:
“We were impressed and delighted by both the number and calibre of the submissions from retailers sunflowerfor the award. We were humbled by their energy, impressed by their commitment and in awe of the extent to which the best are embedded in their communities. There is no doubt that independent retail is in the hands of creative, innovative, business-savvy individuals. It was incredibly hard to shortlist and the range of shops on the shortlist, both geographically and across sectors, is a good indication of the depth and breadth of the talent in evidence.”
Manager Emma Schramm is delighted at having made it so far:
“It’s just thrilling and a real recognition of the hard work everyone has put in,” she said. “The shop does so well because it has such a friendly, welcoming environment. We’ve got more than 50 volunteers and everyone knows each other, we’re the real centre of the community. If we were to win the award it would just mean so much.”
Ilsington lost its shop in 2009. Residents set about raising £250,000 to upgrade the village hall, creating a meeting room and retail space in the process.
It had been hoped that by the end of the first year’s trading in the summer of 2013 the business would have taken £110,000. Instead, the final figure was closer to £170,000 and the business continues to thrive.
At the time chairman Alan Hobbs said: “It’s brilliant. It’s been a steep learning curve and we’ve a lot of people to thank for where we are today. It’s been a good journey.”
Mrs Schramm is due to make the trip to London with committee member Kirsten Day.
We Have Been Shortlisted for the Best Small Shop in Britain!
We always knew we were special, but now we have confirmation! On Friday 13 Feb (who said Friday 13th was bad luck?!) we received the following email:
We are pleased to announce that Ilsington Village Shop has been shortlisted as one of the top 20 entries to the Best Small Shops Competition 2015.
Your business was selected by an independent panel of judges from hundreds of high quality applicants from a wide range of retail sectors throughout the UK.
The Best Small Shop 2015 will be chosen from the 20 shortlisted shops and announced at the All Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group, Westminster Reception on 25th February 2015.
Well done, everybody, and fingers crossed we win!
Mel Stride Supports Our Best Small Shop Application!
We are aiming high this year and entering the All-Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group Competition to find the best small shop in the UK. It is designed to bring small retailers to the attention of parliamentarians and the local community. MPs are asked to promote retailers from their constituencies and Mel Stride has stepped forward to promote us. Here is his testimony:
The bright and welcoming Ilsington Village Shop is tucked on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in a small isolated community which lost its privately owned shop in 2008. After four years of work and fundraising the new community-owned shop opened in 2012 with a fantastic newly-built store staffed by a manager and over fifty dedicated volunteers.
It is a real testament to the volunteers that the shop is a great success on a business level, with attractive layouts, great products, many local suppliers and a healthy profit to boot.
In addition the shop has made a huge difference to the local community, both as a focal point for the village and also through its donations to other good causes in the area. I strongly recommend Ilsington Village Shop as one of the best small shops in the country.
We will find out if we have made it to the short list on 16th Feb 2015. Fingers crossed!
Phone and Deliver Service
Trouble getting out of the house?
Not feeling well this week?
Phone the shop by mid-day Wednesday and we will deliver to you free of charge on Thursday morning!
Just call the Shop on 01364661788 to set up your delivery.
(£10 minimum order. Ilsington, Haytor, Green Lane areas only. Payment by cheque on delivery.)
Our Second Birthday
The whole village turned out to help celebrate our 2nd birthday with a glass of pimms and a BBQ.
Dennis Presland won the prize for guessing the total sales reached at the end of the second year and he was only £50 out!
New Member of the Team – Anne Parkinson
We would like to welcome on board Anne Parkinson who is joining the team as Assistant Manager.
Mel Stride Visits Our Shop Again!
He couldn't make it to our Second Birthday party, so Mel Stride, a staunch supporter of our Community Shop from the start, asked if he could come along for a private visit to celebrate with us.
An impromptu but splendid tea party with volunteers and committee members was held in the shop and Mel joined us in celebrating another fantastic year of trading in our amazing shop!
The 2014 Community Awards
Great news! After our first full year of trading, Ilsington Village Shop would like to announce that £3000 is to be made available to organisations within Ilsington Parish to help fund specific initiatives or activities that will be of benefit to the community. For further information and an application form, please go here. Applications to be received by 21st July 2014.