COMMUNITY WEBSITE
The shop is managed by a Committee and assisted by 30+ local volunteers “by the village, for the village“. It also provides paid work experience to local students at weekends and was, in 2010, the very first recipient of the annual Dorset People’s Project Award.
It is formally run as The Friends of Briantspuddle Post Office and Village Shop Association Ltd. We have a constitution setting out rules of governance created some years ago under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts. These rules still apply but since 2014 we are regulated by the Cooperative and Community Benefits Societies Act, legislation passed in that year. The 2014 Act takes precedence over the original rules if there is a conflict.
The Management Committee’s financial aim each year is to do no more than cover the true costs of operating and maintaining our shop, this and our voluntary input means that prices compare favourably with other village shops.
One of our committee members has stood down due to ill-health so we now have 6 members. Whilst this is acceptable under the rules of the Association, we do need more help. It’s not an onerous task we have a 4 or 5 meetings a year and we try to allocate discrete tasks to each member. If you might be interested in being co-opted onto the committee or would just like to know more about it please e-mail the shop at briantspuddle.shop@gmail.com or have a word with one of the committee members – Peter Head, Richard Killer, Peter Martin, Chris Miller, Jo Neudegg and Lesley Wilcox.
Are you an experienced bookkeeper or maybe a retired accountant who would be happy to help?
Our current treasurer is stepping down from the Shop Committee and we are looking for someone to take over his role. If you are able to help, or would like further information, please let us know. We really would like a volunteer to fill this post. If you would like more details please e-mail the Chairman, Peter Head at briantspuddle.shop@gmail.com
Our AGM was held on 27 February and attended by 32 members. The full (draft) Minutes are on the Community website but the main points are:
Finances: Following a small financial loss in 2022/3, the shop managed to make a modest profit of £700 in 2023/4. This is encouraging and points to a sustainable and secure future for the shop. The electricity bill had increased by £400 to nearly £3,000 which is a considerable sum to meet. Luckily no repairs had been needed during the year. Fixed assets had fallen following no new investment in the year. In terms of the day-to-day running of the shop, the cash flow had improved from an outflow of £1,491 to an inflow of £709 in the year. Cash held in the bank had increased from approx £16k at the start of the year to approx £18k at the end. Overall, it had been a reassuring year with a return to profit following a loss in the previous year.
Maintenance: The front window to the shop had been refurbished and re-painted; this work was funded by the Parish Council. We now have a new maintenance agreement between the Shop and the Council (the landlord). This allows for the Shop to take responsibility for the maintenance work required within the Shop and the Council for the exterior of the building. A maintenance plan will be agreed with the Council every year.
Access into the Shop and PO has been improved by installing some grab rails and the height of the top step will be altered. This work required Listed Building Consent from Dorset Council which has now been received. The grab rails have been installed and we are awaiting a date for the start of work to the top step.
Sales of the 2025 Calendar made a profit of £300 for the Shop.
The following were re-elected to form the new Committee: Peter Head, Richard Killer, Peter Martin, Chris Miller, Jo Neudegg, Cindy Read and Lesley Wilcox.
Other news. Our Treasurer, Peter Martin, is planning to move away this year. Unfortunately there is no-one on the Committee that is able to cover his work and so we need someone from within the community to take his place. The only other option will be to pay for bookkeeper or accountancy help and the cost of this will be very expensive relative to the profit that the shop makes. The main duties are: Entering cash payments and receipts from the shop’s bank statements and entering sales information from the shop’s retail software each month into online accounting software. Preparing monthly sales, margin, profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow statements and annual accounts for submission to the statutory authorities. Discussing the results with the shop committee at bi-monthly meetings. If you are able to help or would like further information please let us know.
Just a reminder that we have a collection in the Shop for a retirement present for our Postie, Steve Smith, who will be retiring at the beginning of May. If you haven’t already done so please pop into the Shop and make a contribution to show how much our community has valued him. Hopefully, we will be able to arrange a small presentation to him to be held in the Jubilee Room; we will advertise that later.
If you would like more information about the help we currently need and/or you think you can offer some time to help keep the shop ticking over please get in touch with us at the shop on 01929 472000, e-m briantspuddle.shop@gmail.com or pop in and see us. We always need more help!
Please help us to keep the shop going as a welcome and useful village resource, not only for buying your essential supplies but as a meeting point to have a chat. You never know when you might need it!
The AGM was held on Thursday 27 February 2025
The AGM was held on Thursday 22 February 2024
The AGM was held on Friday 14 April 2023
New volunteers are always welcome either to work in the Shop or the Post Office. Working in either is not an onerous task, takes only 3 hours a week and is a good way of meeting people and contributing to the community. If you are interested please leave your name in the Shop and someone will contact you.
Please support your local Shop and PO which is run by the community, for the community. If you have any suggestions or comments on the services that the Shop and PO provide please either leave a message in the Shop, contact a member of the Committee or email briantspuddle.shop@gmail.com
Copies of notes for previous meetings can be seen by e-mailing the shop at briantspuddle.shop@gmail.com
AFFPUDDLE & BRIANTSPUDDLE 