With a current climate seeing approximately 400 commercial shops close each year, with many of those in rural areas, the role of the community shop has become more important than ever. Community shops are effective for safeguarding essential services to rural communities, with wider social, economic and environmental benefits. Sadly, an estimated 300–500 village shops close every year, however, community ownership is helping to preserve these immensely vital services.

Wellow Parlour Shop is a fine example of a community shop working hard to remain sustainable and meet the varied needs of local residents, in a harsh climate. Owned as a co-operative, with just two paid staff, this buzzing little hub is predominantly run by a volunteer committee and a handful of dedicated local residents working on a voluntary basis. The Parlour Shop aims to purchase and sell products sourced from local producers and suppliers in order to support other local businesses and reduce their carbon footprint, whilst ensuring prices are competitive and customers’ needs are met.

The Parlour Shop Manager, Katherine Macbean, says: “The Wellow Parlour Shop is more than just a retail outlet. We are a hub for the local community, offering essential services, particularly to those who are disadvantaged by lack of transport, limited physical mobility and those who may be alone.

“We are so much more than a shop. We source meat products from a fabulous local butcher, and order specifically to customer requirements, to reduce waste. The same can be said for our dairy, fresh fruit and vegetables, and fish suppliers. All local businesses, supporting each other. We also offer friendship, support and open arms to all.”

According to The Plunkett Trust, who have been supporting rural communities for over 100 years, the positive impact of community shops on local economies are numerous. Community shops support local producers and suppliers and create employment. They are usually the only retail outlet for a four mile radius, have long opening hours, and save local residents on average an eight-mile round trip to the local supermarket. This collectively saves an estimated four million miles of car journeys a year!

However, the current climate means many community shops are struggling to remain sustainable and risk facing closure. Katherine Macbean advises: “Wellow Parlour Shop has had a relatively good year during 2017, and the introduction of new products and services has helped us try and manage the finances.

“However, we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. We still rely on grants and donations in order to keep running. We still need more customers to come into the shop, and we still need more volunteers to help run this lovely little hub. We can’t function without plenty of generous volunteers, who are the heart and soul of this community project. Please do come and visit us and help us continue to help our community.”

If you would like to understand more about community shops, and how you can help them, visit: https://www.plunkett.co.uk/about-us or alternatively visit the Wellow Parlour Shop in person to chat with the team or visit: http://www.wellowparlour shop.co.uk

Community shops and cafés in the area proving successful are Mells Village Shop, the Galleries in Freshford, and committees in Kilmersdon and Farmborough, who are also trying to establish new village shops.