Hampstead Norreys shop shortlisted for national award

The shop in Church Street opened in March 2011 after a questionnaire showed a resounding need for the service, with more than half of the villagers - nearly 450 people - having invested £10 each into the scheme.
The shop sells everything from locally grown produce and greeting cards to shoe repairs and bicycle loans and now been shortlisted for the Best Creative Displays category in the Plunkett Foundation’s national community shop awards.
The shops Business Development Manager, Jane Dipple, said: “I think the award will recognise the amount of effort that the community and volunteers put in as they offer extra time and expertise in a little area that they love working in.”
Mrs Dipple also said that the shop liked to have different displays throughout the year to try and stand out from other shops and that business was doing very well and customers were still happy with the service the store provided.
The Plunkett Foundation was established in 1919 and helps rural communities set up and run community-owned projects while promoting the development of community food and farming enterprises.
The Head of Plunkett’s Frontline service, which oversees community projects, James Alcock, said: “Hampstead Norreys Community Shop represents a fantastic example of community enterprise and we wish them every success at the awards ceremony in June.”
There are over 300 shops like the one at Hampstead Norreys trading across the country and only 13 have closed in the last 20 years.
The community will have to hold their suspense until June 26 when the results will be announced at a ceremony in Oxfordshire.