Page 2 The Vision
Many of you will fondly remember the shop, which closed several years ago, and will know that the building has been renovated by a private landlord. The great news is that the shop has now been reopened, along with the addition of a café, upstairs lounge, meeting room, free public WiFi, and more. It is a real asset to the community and aspires
‘To provide a place of welcome, refreshment, support and service at the heart of the community’
So now we are able to buy delicious freshly ground coffee, hand made cakes and pastries, freshly made sandwiches and salads. We can give our kids somewhere to meet up, provide somewhere for Mums and Tots to relax with friends and villagers old and young to shop and chat!! We now have newspapers and groceries in the village once more, no need to drive when you run out of basics.
The Company
The Cottingham and Middleton Community Shop Limited is an IPS (Industrial and Provident Society) and as such has been set up to rent the shop from the landlord and to run the business. The IPS exists solely to provide a service for the benefit of the community, and not for anyone’s private gain. Profits from the shop and café will be reinvested to improve the service.
The IPS is managed by a group of residents from the community. The management committee is
presently made up of Dawn Watkins (Chair), Janet Brown (Vice Chair), David Swallow (Treasurer),
Rachel Hudson, and Sarayou George. The Secretary is James Watkins.
The IPS is registered with the Financial Services Authority reference 31166 R. Its registered office is
2a Corby Road, Cottingham, Leicestershire, LE16 8XH.
Page 3 'Be one in a hundred' share offer
The Management Committee would like to say how grateful and pleased they are that so many have invested in the Cottingham and Middleton Community Shop Limited. We had hoped to attract 100 shareholders and about £5,000, but the latest figures stand at 183 shareholders and over £10,000 raised from investments and donations.
This is great news, not only because it demonstrates how much the community wants its shop back, but because the extra money reduces the amount we will have to borrow, which in turn strengthens the business.
Give some time
There are a number of ways that you can volunteer. Helping in the shop, either serving, stocking up or making sandwiches. Collecting produce from our suppliers and making deliveries. Making produce as home to be sold in the shop. You can choose to commit to certain hours every week or just as and when you have the time.
If you'd like to find out more come along to the Volunteer Meeting on Saturday 9th July at 11am.
Download a volunteer form here
Use the store
We reailse that most people do their main weekly shop at one of the big supermarkets or online. So the Village Store is there for those little extras or the things you've forgotten. But every time you use the Store you will be supporting a community venture and having the opportunity to catch up on all the village news at the same time!!
Volunteer Form pdf.pdf
Page 9 Thank you
We would like to thank the following organisations whose funding has help make this project possible.
North Northamptonshire Department for Environment, Food
LEADER and Rural Affairs
The European Agricultural Funded by the National Lottery
Fund for Rural Development: through Big Lottery Fund
Europe investing in Rural Areas
The Village Core
Programme
