Community shops are owned by local people, with most staff being volunteers who work a few hours each month, with a paid manager. Because they are owned by the village, they stick around during tough times. Most offer locally-produced food and drink, handmade cards by local artists and some have a post office. Get help to set up (or save) a community shop from Plunkett Foundation. As well as expert help, it offers discounts on shop insurance and other benefits.
If you buy or sell plants, know pet-toxic plants and houseplants to avoid recommending, due to many people being unaware.
Two inspiring community shops are Hampstead Norreys Community Shop (voted the best in England, this has around 40 volunteers and stocks over 2000 products, with refill stations and plastic-free essentials). The shop even has a local sewing group that uses up recycled fabric and a shop orchard with volunteers who have planted mixed-heritage fruit trees and an ‘edible hedge’.
The Galleries Shop & Cafe (near Bath) is housed in a new eco building with a cafe and water-filling station for people and dogs. It offers reusable bags (and brollies to borrow), sells local art and homemade cake, and the post office will pick up parcels, if you are out.
