WE VISIT BROCKWEIR COMMUNITY SHOP!

7 members and supporters of EJCAL enjoyed a visit to Brockweir and Hewelsfield Community Shop in West Gloucestershire at the end of September. The trip was funded by the Swap Shop Fund (South West Regional Development Agency). Brockweir and Hewelsfield shop is housed in a beautiful building framed in local oak and incorporates many green features such as photovoltaic roof slates and a geothermal heat pump. The build cost was around £400,000.

 

As well as selling many delicious local products including bread baked on the premises, the shop offers the following services: basic post office services - a franking system for mailing items; book and video library; cash point; conference and IT suite with a small commercial office space; a local information point; a wonderful cafe; exhibition space;

The shop is superbly run by a full-time manager Alison Macklin, the management committee and a band of volunteers.

It’s been operating for 2 years and annual turnover has so far well exceeded their expectations. Project manager Fred Simpson says the project has delivered everything they wanted and more.

We all found the visit very informative and inspiring, as well as great fun.