Headley Community Shop

Greenham Common Trust chief executive Stuart Tagg signs the lease with Ashford Hill with Headley Community Shop Association Ltd chairman Mike Aspray and Secretary Peter Hemmings.

The future of a community shop and post office in Ashford Hill and Headley has been secured thanks to Greenham Common Trust and the commitment of local residents.

The Trust bought Headley Baptist Chapel last year and has now signed a ten-year lease allowing Ashford Hill with Headley Community Shop Association Ltd to move the community shop and post office to the Thornford Road chapel on a rent free basis.

Greenham Common Trust chief executive Stuart Tagg and chairman of Ashford Hill and Headley Community Shop Association Ltd Mike Aspray signed the lease allowing fundraising and work on the shop to progress in earnest.

Mr Tagg said: “The Trust is very pleased to offer the local community the opportunity to continue and enhance this brilliant service for local residents.”

Mr Aspray added: “The ten year lease requires the Association to pay a commercial rent for the premises. However, the Trust has very generously offered to make us a grant to cover the cost of the rent, so that we will effectively be able to operate rent free. A shop fitter and an architect have now been employed to draw up suitable plans.”

However, to enable the full refurbishment of the chapel for the community shop, relocation of the post office and the creation of a community area with café the Association needs help to raise £55,000.

So far the Association has secured a total of £25,000 from Greenham Common Trust, Four Lanes Trust, Yorkshire Tea and fundraising at the existing community shop in Headley.

A number of grant applications are being prepared, including one to the National Lottery. A jumble sale will be held soon and monthly car boot sales have been instigated as well as several fundraising activities.

Mr Aspray said: “We are working hard to raise the rest of the money required to open the shop but we welcome any help and ideas with fundraising, practical help with building work, painting and decorating and gardening. With the help of the local community, we are determined to make the move happen for the continuing benefit of our two villages.”

The Association gained planning permission to change the Chapel into a shop and post office with a community meeting space and café in November 2008.

Anybody can own a share in the shop, which is a not for profit organisation, paying a £10 membership fee and are invited to attend shareholder meetings and an annual general meeting to speak and vote on future decisions.

“Any surplus income firstly goes towards securing the future of the shop and post office. Any “spare” surplus is then available to support local charities and good causes,” said Mr Aspray.

If you would like to be involved in any way, or know of someone or some organisation who may be able to help, please contact Peter Hemmings (01635 269260), Richard Bayly (01635 268797) or Sue Crook (01635 268922) and Sue Gillingham at the shop (01635 268849).