Eversley Centre Stores March2011
Overview
Having taken Eversley’s Centre Stores, which is the village shop and Post Office, in 2010, new
leaseholder John Hartle applied to the Hampshire County Council/SEEDA funded Village
Community Grant Scheme (VCGS) for £20,000 to completely refurbish the existing premises.
Viewing the shop as a valued community resource, Eversley Parish Council supported the
application.
Background
Centre Stores has been in operation for about 40 years, the last 28 of which under the care of Mr
and Mrs Lamb; during this time the shop changed very little. The couple managed then PO and
shop with the help of a few paid part-time staff, until Morag Lamb was unable to run the business
due to her husband’s declining health. Knowing John Hartle was interested in leasing the shop
from her, it changed hands and she supported the proposed modernisation.
Community impact
Eversley is five miles from Yateley, near Hook in north Hampshire, and other main shops,
including a Waitrose; Tesco is eight miles away in Camberley, whilst Reading is 12 miles away.
Comprising an active community and every age group, the village has a school, church, village
hall, several public houses and a playgroup, but no other shops. Public transport for the 1,500
residents is poor, but the shop benefits from passing trade as it is on the main through road, with
a couple of parking spaces outside.
Funding
Following a site visit in September 2010, the application for the maximum grant of £20,000 was
submitted by John, who found the VCGS submission ‘easy and straightforward’. The shop is
managed and run by John and his partner, Gillian Lewis. Morag Lamb remains Postmistress and
the couple are supported by three part-time staff (and paperboys/girls).
Outcome
The application was approved and the refit took place in October 2010, with the shop closing for a
couple of days. Planning permission was not necessary. The refurbishment was carried out by
professional shop-fitters to approved Londis standards, as Londis is the new wholesale supplier.
Londis kept its branding low-key, in keeping with the village shop feel.
What was a tired shop and PO was utterly transformed from a gutted shell – it has new flooring,
lighting, racking and shelving, chillers and a much improved use of space. The shop is open from
7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm on Saturday and 8am to 12pm on Sunday. The PO
operates from 9am to 5pm on weekdays (and half day Wednesday and Saturday).
A fully-stocked shop, Centre Stores has a new EPOS till system, which has made a big difference
to staff. It sells freshly-baked bread, local cakes, milk, fresh fruit and vegetables, freshly sliced
home-cooked ham, sweets, hot pasties, quality coffee, store cupboard essentials, plus meat and
greetings cards. It acts as a dry cleaning/shoe repair drop off, provides key cutting and now sells
alcohol; John has developed a real ale range to rival even big name supermarkets. A cork board
with village flyers and contact cards has been placed inside the shop – deliberately – to draw
customers in.
Feedback
John Hartle:
“I live opposite and came in to buy a pint of milk, but ended up buying a shop! Morag asked if I
knew of anyone interested in taking over. Gillian and I went away to weigh up options for a new
undertaking. It is hard work and as we live opposite, we’re never really off duty, but it’s satisfying.
We have brought it well and truly into the 21st century.”
Gillian Lewis:
“It was important to revitalise the store whilst retaining a traditional village shop atmosphere and
ensuring that it remained a focal point in village life. That is really important. Mums drop in for
coffee after walking children to school and we have elderly residents who walk down to collect
their daily paper and essentials, because they shop for smaller quantities. As a social point of
contact it is very important in our community. We have achieved a ‘wow!’ factor with the
modernisation and received excellent feedback. I organised a mail shot around the village to let
people know about the refit, which has made people more aware of us. Local parents are very
aware too, because school projects look at the shop being in the heart of the community.”
Morag Lamb, previous owner/Postmistress:
“John and Gill have done a fantastic job brining new life into an old store since they took over. It
takes a very special person to succeed in this business; you need a love of people, an interest in
all aspects of the village and a real commitment to do your best. John and Gill ticked all the
boxes. Since taking over they have refitted the shop and now have a lovely bright new shop, fully
stocked with lots of new lines.The villagers are delighted. I know this is just the beginning,
because they have new ideas to bring in more trade, real enthusiasm and total commitment to
making this a great success.”
Chris Davidson:
“It’s a dramatic change, everything a village shop should be and more – great to have the post
office, dry cleaning, shoe repairs/key cutting and an excellent selection of groceries, dried and
fresh. It’s good to see local produce in the shop and handy to have a good selection of wines and
ales.”
Jane South:
“The difference is amazing. It’s handy to be able to pick up fresh produce, as well as delicious
bread, croissants and locally baked cakes; there’s plenty of choice.The children love the pick and
mix and the old style jar sweets. It’s great to be able to place orders – we even ordered our turkey
and ham through the shop at Christmas!”
Future
John and Gillian want to add more new products based on locally sourced goods, introduce and
develop a local delivery service (John undertakes some) and develop a website. They are open
to customer suggestions and requests, and would like to alter the recessed bicycle parking space
outside, and place a couple of cafe tables and chairs there, for customers to chat whilst enjoying
coffee and cakes.
They are in touch with Hampshire Fare to consider more local produce (in terms of shelf life and
what is best suited to smaller shops) and the Plunkett Foundation (which promotes and supports
rural community shops). Gillian has produced recipe cards to promote items and would like to do
more of these in the future, as well as increasing the range of cheeses and deli items.
The shop has also made the awards’ shortlist for Hampshire Village Shop of the Year, through
Hampshire the County Magazine; John and Gillian will attend the gala dinner at the National
Motor Museum, Beaulieu, and find out if it is the winner on April 28, 2011.
Eversley Centre Stores March2011
Funding facts and contacts
The Hampshire County Council/SEEDA funded Village Community Grant Scheme is targeted
primarily at villages with fewer than 5,000 residents, with applications welcome from community
associations, village shop associations, parish or district councils and formal voluntary
associations. Private businesses may apply if they have the written support of their parish council.
Hampshire County Council, in partnership with Community Action Hampshire, the Hampshire
Association of Local Councils and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), is
running the scheme until June 2011. 12 grants were awarded in year one, 2008/9.
For more information: www3.hants.gov.uk/business/rural-initiatives/villagegrant.htm or contact:
anne.harrison@hants.gov.uk
Published in March 2011 by HCC Economic Development Office www.hants.gov.uk/business
Pix: John Hartle, Gillian Lewis and Viv Pickett at the till; interior and exterior shots; card featuring
Centre Stores by Wizz Andre. Blonde customer at till.
All pix with permission.