Glenfarg Community Shop Initiative

Following the announcement that our local shop owner planned to give up his business, around 100 people attended an initial public meeting in July to gauge support for the provision of a community-owned not-for-profit shop in Glenfarg. The overwhelming response at that first meeting was positive so, on Wednesday 15 August 2007 at a public meeting held in the village, the new Glenfarg Community Shop Initiative, or simply the Initiative, was constituted and a management committee appointed. Anyone who lives within a two-mile radius of Glenfarg village centre - namely in or near Glenfarg, Arngask, Duncrievie or Drunzie - is automatically a member of the Initiative and has the right to attend any annual or special general meeting.

Glenfarg Community Shop Public Meeting approved establishment of Glenfarg Community Cooperative Limited

Following extensive work by the GCSI, which in late December 2007 received the green light from the Big Lottery in Scotland to proceed with a full application for funding, the community approved the establishment of a legal co-operative to run the proposed new community shop business. More than 400 homes within a two-mile radius of the centre of the village had been leafleted about the meeting by the GCSI team to encourage a positive turnout.

You can download an application form for membership of the new cooperative. The liability of members of the company will be limited. Every member of the company may be required to contribute an amount (not exceeding £1) to the company’s assets if it should be wound up while he/she is a member or within one year after he/she ceases to be a member. The company will be governed by members who will have the right to attend general meetings, propose and vote upon special and ordinary resolutions. Members will also appoint from the general membership, a Board of Directors who shall manage the business of the company.

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Survey results: November 2007

The social role played by the village shop was described by many as ‘vital’ to the local community as a place for people to meet, a hub for local news and information and a centre of village life. It is also somewhere to buy basic goods and services without the need to travel. This would save time and money, respondents added, and help limit damage to the environment. The importance of the existing Post Office facility was also highlighted, as was the shop’s provision of newspapers, magazines, and comics. When asked who would benefit most from retaining a shop in the village, many mentioned the elderly and retired, those who are physically or socially isolated, and those without transport.

Some also felt a local shop was beneficial to children and teenagers to help them learn about shopping in a safe environment close to home. Additionally, a few said they valued visiting the local store as an incentive to get out and exercise.

Illustrating the high value placed on the store as a hub for local communications, many predicted they would read the community notices and adverts displayed (85%) and more than half thought they would place notices and adverts themselves. Most respondents thought their household would use the shop for a variety of basic goods and services, for example, buying bread and milk, reading community notices and using the Post Office. Some offered additional suggestions for what they would like the store to provide, such as fresh local produce, frozen food and a dry cleaning drop-off service.

Questionnaire and leaflet: September 2007

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Want to help establish a not-for-profit community shop in Glenfarg?