Community Services

This Support Programme is aimed at helping rural communities threatened with the loss of the village shops either through factors such as poor trading conditions, shop keepers retirement or affectedby the Post Office closure programme (e.g.where a combined shop/Post Office is threatened by the loss of the Post Office service, where with public support (within State Aids limits), a viable business/service can be redeveloped and sustained.

Over many years the village of Blockley in the north Cotswolds suffered a substantail loss to its services prompting the community to take action. After intensive effort they opened a new community shop and cafe in 2008. The Shop also includes a post office operated part time.

Oxfordshire RCC - Settting up a community shop

One of Oxfordshire’s responses to closures of village shops and post offices was to develop a Community Shops Handbook.

The Commission for Rural Communities published Understanding Economic Wellbeing to promote understanding and commitment to economic well-being in rural England. The publication explains economic well-being and its relevance to communities, public policy makers and service delivery organisations. It identifies some critical success factors for those interested in promoting or participating in economic well-being projects and lists 13 good practice case studies including a number from RCAN members.

There are more examples in ACRE's Policy Position Paper on Rural Services