Sheepwash Chronicle Autumn 2016 edition

Sheepwash Community Shop and Post Office News
Summer of Plenty
August is traditionally a good month at the shop, and August 2016 gave us the best monthly sales figure for
three years! In summer, we benefit from the patronage of visitors to the village, many of whom have
passed favourable comments about the shop's appearance – indeed, we feature on several Dutch, German,
French and Canadian holiday snapshots!
Of course there are UK visitors too, and they kindly tell us how much they enjoy some of the local offerings
like Dunn's butter and the Cornish Farmhouse bacon - one family returned home with six packs of Green
Back!
Cyclists and walkers have also been seen regularly in the shop over the summer. We have tried to meet
their needs by stocking additional energy bars, cold drinks, snacks, pasties, cakes, ice creams and buns.
One poor young chap arrived worn out, having pushed his bike all the way from Yarde cafe with a puncture
– he was obviously never a boy scout as “Be Prepared” he wasn't! Luckily for him Simon was in the shop at
the time and soon had him back on the road. He wanted to show his gratitude by purchasing supplies, but
sadly he only had 55p in cash, and the Post Office was closed. However, he did have a credit card and so
was directed to lunch at the Half Moon. But this brings us to our next topic ...
Card Payment Facility
It has been unanimously agreed by the Shop Team members that it would be advantageous for the shop
and its clientele to be able to pay for goods by credit and debit card. Soon this payment machine will be
located on the shop-side counter and will be available whenever the shop is open.
This means that you will be able to purchase goods and settle accounts by card, and also obtain cash by
way of debit card purchase cash back. The existing Post Office cash withdrawal system and general banking
facilities will remain as well.
We see the new card payment/cash back system as a useful service to the community. There is a capital
cost for the purchase and installation of the equipment, and we are thrilled that this cost will be met by a
local council grant.
However, there will also be ongoing monthly fixed and variable transaction costs payable to the service
providers. Sadly, these charges are proportionally higher for small shop outlets, so we may have to make a
modest charge for the use of some of the services in order to get the system to break even.
Staff - New Faces and some Revived 45's
October will see the appearance of two new volunteer staff, David Manning and Bruce Knight. They will be
a very useful addition to the team and will make it easier for us to schedule cover for other staff on holiday.
Please bear with them as they train up with the shop systems!
You may have also clocked the occasional appearance of some shop elders in the shape of Roger, who can
be seen on Wednesday mornings, and Margaret and Paulette, who have provided occasional cover for staff
holidays, which was very much appreciated. You just can't keep a good man/woman down!
We are pleased to report that our expanded volunteer team is on target to reduce the reliance on paid staff
by 30% this year, which should help enormously in getting the shop to break even.
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