Melmerby and Fellside Village Shop LTD.

Benefits to the community

Howard describes the benefits of the co-operative to the local community as follows:  ‘The community now has a new shop and post office.  The shop is highly responsive to the needs of the community, who, after all, own the business.  There are now about 160 shareholder/members who can exert democratic control over the business through the elected committee members/directors and the AGM.  The development process has helped to build the capacity of local people, particularly those serving on the committee, though there has lately been quite a high turnover of committee members.  Because of the relationship with Penrith Co-operative, prices can be kept at a reasonable level for a rural shop. Members also receive a discount on their shopping.  Currently offered services include core services to a local village shop like a general grocery, and the sale of newspapers and local produce.  But Melmerby’s shop also offers a wide range of additional services such as an off-licence, a post office, a Library Links service, local arts and crafts, a tea and coffee machine, an Indian takeaway service, and DVD and gift sales.  Three new full-time jobs have been created and a market for local producers (though this still needs some further development).  Tourists in the area are well catered for, and surely this has to have a beneficial knock-on effect for other local businesses.  Most wonderful of all, this shop has restored a social focus to the village – a new “buzz” has been created.’