Current Work
Some of the things we are currently involved in:
Corporate Membership Review
The support that The Co-operative Group offers to many community shops in Scotland through its corporate membership scheme is key to their viability. We were therefore delighted to be awarded funding from the Co-operative Fund to carry out a review of the scheme and look at its possible extension to the rest of the UK.
The review was undertaken in 2009 by a retail consultant and the Institute of Retail Studies at University of Stirling - the recommendations of the report are currently under consideration by The Co-operative Group.
Northern Periphery Programme - Retailing in Rural Areas
All countries are facing difficulties in retaining their rural shops and 'Retail in Rural Regions' (RRR) is a transnational research project focussed on their survival and growth. Launched in 2009 RRR will run until the end of 2011 and involves eight Northern European countries/regions (Finland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway and Greenland).
The project is primarily funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Northern Periphery Programme (NPP), with each partner country required to source 40% match funding. Match funding from Consumer Focus Scotland enabled the Network to become a partner in the project.
Training for Community Retail
Running a community shop, particularly if it is in a remote area, can make it difficult to keep up to date with wider retail and legislation issues. An important role of the Network is to reduce this isolation, and one clear need already identified by members is assistance in accessing appropriate training.
Over 2010 we will be working with the Co-operative Group, HISEZ, the Social Enterprise Academy, Skillsmart Retail and our partners in the Retail in Rural Regions project to explore the training needs of community shops and how best to deliver training in remote areas.
Community Retailing Start-Up Guide
We will be putting together an online start-up guide for community shops. This will comprise a number of downloadable information sheets on topics ranging from how to consult your community to what equipment you will need.
Store is the Core
Funded by the Carnegie UK Trust, The Store is the Core project arose out of the recognition that in response to the alarming loss of rural services, a growing number of communities are taking ownership of their local shops, petrol station, pubs, post offices and other services - the project aimed to be able to pass on learning about the benefits and difficulties involved in developing a community-owned multi-service outlet.
Uig Community Shop was one of 3 community enterprises selected for the project. While embarking on a large extension to its shop, Uig used seed corn funding from the project to draw on specialist advice on layout, fixtures and fittings. It later used further funding to design a logo, marketing material and internal and external signage.
The Store is the Core was completed in 2009.