Draft Strategy discussion Tuesday 28th July 2026

 

An open day at the shop explaining the purpose of our recent consultation with The Charity Retail Consultancy.

 

 

This draft strategy outlines a two-year transformation designed to evolve The Community Shop into a high-efficiency community hub while retaining its own identity. The focus is on professionalising operations, enhancing the customer experience, and expanding the footprint to capture some of the furniture, white goods and art market.

 

 

The following is a brief synopsis of our plans.

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1.    Commission a report from The Charity Retail Consultancy.

2.    Prepare a draft strategy.

3.    Meet with volunteers to discuss the draft strategy.

 

The above has been completed.

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4.    Involve the community with the draft strategy.

5.    Finalise the strategy.

6.    Apply for funding.

7.    Refit the store room to a functional sorting room.

8.    Implement agreed improvements to the main shop.

9.    Open a second shop in Ardrishaig.

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The last two and a half years have been tremendously successful.

This is certainly due to our fantastic volunteer team and the support that you, our community, have given us, both with your patronage and with the quality of donated goods we receive.

We want to do better which is why we have involved The Charity Retail Consultancy. 

Their review has highlighted some areas in which we think we can improve.

We believe these improvements will give our volunteers and our customers a more rewarding experience.

 

Some suggested improvements;

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1.    Refitting the store room will allow us to streamline our handling of donations.

 

2.    A more efficient way of hanging clothes will increase our available stock and the addition of a changing room is seemingly well overdue.

 

3.    It has been difficult for us to accept bulkier items, furniture, fridges, freezers etc. We simply have not had the space.

We have an opportunity to take a second shop in Ardrishaig. This will be available from June 2028.

This second shop would be mainly for those bulkier items, furniture and white goods, as well as more smaller electrical items, some bric a brac and paintings and prints.

 

 

In the last financial year we have given out more that £10,000 directly back to the community. With your continued support we aim to do more.

 

Before we finalise our strategy we would like to hear your thoughts and suggestions on how The Community Shop moves forward.

 

Do you like the idea of a changing room?

 

What items would you like to see us selling?

 

What about the new shop? Do you see a need for us having somewhere to sell furniture etc?

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Why not come along to the open day and let us know your thoughts?

We have a suggestion box so you can pop your comments in there at any time.

Look forward to seeing you.

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