I just love it when, while out and about visiting new areas of the county/country, I stumble across a beautiful village with… a COMMUNITY SHOP!!!!
Call me sad, but I just have to go in – it’s as if there is a magnet drawing me in. I need to have a good old nosey around, see what products they sell, chat to volunteers about how they work, share ideas and experiences of wholesalers (always a great laugh) and just appreciate the work that has goes into running a ‘Community Shop’.
It is just so interesting – yes it really is! On a recent trip to the New Forest, we stayed in a tiny village right on the edge of the forest, and to my utter delight, it had… a Community Shop – in an old chapel! It was a fabulous location and an amazing building – quite stunning.
When I first went in, I was amazed that, apart from the size (they had so much space) it was just like walking into Payhembury Provisions – a clever, colourful display to greet shoppers, familiar products on the selves, lots of tempting local treats and a friendly, welcoming face at the counter.
Chatting to the lovely volunteers, it became evident that we had a lot of common experiences, frustrations and challenges, e.g. with suppliers – having to order large quantities of items when we only need a few; managing prices to try to keep them competitive; sourcing new/local products; recruiting volunteers and encouraging local support etc etc. But the overwhelming message was how rewarding it is being involved with the shop, meeting lots of interesting people, being part of a great community
and how incredibly lucky the village was to have their own very special Community Shop.
Yes, we in Payhembury are extremely lucky to have our own, very special ‘Payhembury Provisions’ in the heart of our lovely village. Something to celebrate! Well done everyone involved in making it so special and THANK YOU to all who support it. Long may it last.
P.S. Please note the new opening times for Sundays from 1st July – see the poster on the door.
