Minister praises villagers' shop (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Minister praises villagers' shop

SWINDON...AND PROUD OF IT: TRADE Minister Alun Michael visited a thriving village shop near Swindon to promote its success.

As part of a whistle-stop tour of businesses along the M4, he dropped in at the Blunsdon village shop yesterday.

Villagers set up the store in a portable building after the previous shop closed down in 2002.

As well as three paid staff, 30 local helpers and the support of residents help ensure the shop bucks the national trend by surviving in the face of fierce supermarket competition.

Mr Michael said social enterprises like the store were a vital part of the business landscape.

"By fitting somewhere between the public and private sectors they use business and entrepreneurial techniques for the social benefit of the people they serve and the people they employ," he said.

"The village shop in Blunsdon is a fantastic example of how social enterprise can work in the community, and work well.

"If people feel like they own the village shop they are more likely to support it.

"Blunsdon is obviously seeing the benefit of its hard work and I wish them continued entrepreneurial success."

Shop manager Maggie Smith said that after more than two years the business was still thriving.

"There was a few people who thought it wouldn't work but it is still going strong," she said.

"The secret of its success is the volunteers they give 100 per cent.

"Although there is no room for stock, everything you would expect from a shop, except alcohol and lottery tickets, is on sale.

Julie Allen, who is part of the management team said: "Rather than using cars and going to the supermarket, villagers are using the shop as an excuse to go for a walk, which is great."

To help the shop ensure its continued success, staff seek advice from Business Link which supports small and medium sized businesses.

Chief executive Daphne Milner, who joined the minister on the tour, said: "This is an excellent example of social enterprise in action.

"People work hard here and it is fantastic the Minister chose them for a visit because of their success."