Stowey Community Space
A Community Group proposing to keep a community owned
Post Office, Shop and Cafe in the historic heart of the village
The Quantock Community Post Office, Shop & Cafe
MISSION
To save and protect a vital community facility, ensuring its sustainability as a community asset for the future, with the prime objective being to serve the whole community of the Stowey Villages and extended locality.
THE VISION
To create an attractive and welcoming venue, whose key functions and purposes are immediately recognisable.
The details of all elements would need to be established during the set up phases. This is just a starting idea.
The Post Office
There will probably need to be run by a dedicated Post Master who will need to take on the responsibility for running the Post Office. It needs to be established how this will work within the Community Shop facility, but it is likely that the person will need to take on the contract to run the post office as a self employed business. We are informed that the current contract is an attractive ‘original’ contract with the Post Office, offering a basic plus commission agreement. The current Post Master has it in writing from the Post Office that this is transferrable to the new Post Master. Matters like any rent paid by the PO business to the Community Shop would need to be established as part of the business planning process.
The Cafe
This should be an inviting and comfortable space that is appealing to all sectors of the local community, as well as being an attractive venue for visitors to the village. It will most likely need to be managed by an employed manager and supported by volunteers. Any catering would need to meet current food hygiene regulations. It is understood that the current ‘use class’ allows for a cafe and tea room. This space may also be suitable to offer an out of hours meeting space for local groups and for community support activities.
The Shop
It is envisaged that this shop should enhance the retail landscape within Nether Stowey village. It will primarily sell cards and gifts and maybe giving some priority to local crafters, artists and some producers to sell their creations. It will also sell stationery items that one would expect to find in a Post Office. There is also the opportunity for some tourist gifts, maps and a Tourist Information point. ​ It would need to be estabished how this would be staffed alongside the cafe and post office.