Supporting our village and local community
***UPDATE***
Our phone line is now fully operational. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused and thank you for using our alternative means of communication to get in touch.
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Our phone line may be temporarily unavailable on Tuesday 2 June between 10am and 4pm. If you need to contact us and don’t seem to be getting a response by phone, please send a message to our Facebook page or contact us via email.
Normal service will be resumed from Wednesday.
We are currently experiencing high levels of demand for our ordering and delivery service for people self-isolating via phone, email, text and Facebook. As a result, we have implemented two things:
1) opening an hour later at 9am on weekdays to allow Chris, our manager, more time to prepare orders for delivery.
2) we are requesting that people email their delivery orders (for those self-isolating) the day before they are required to manager@farmboroughshop.co.uk
For those unable to email, please call 01761 471 811 between 1pm and 5pm.
Chris is currently managing the shop on his own or with minimal volunteer assistance to reduce the number of people in the shop. Please help us to help him keep the shop operational for as long as possible and assist those in need by: only visiting the shop when you need supplies; only buying the supplies that you need; and taking note of the number of people in the shop and responding to any request to wait outside if asked to do so.
If you have a general question, please don’t call, but email manager@farmboroughshop.co.uk
We would like to thank all our customers for their continued support during this difficult time.
The shop has a significant electricity bill each month. The Farmborough Community Shop Management Committee wants to minimise this cost by:
The investment needed is £6,000, saving over £1,000 per year. The deadline for having the solar panels fitted is rapidly approaching (31st March), after which we wouldn’t get the better Feed in Tariff (FIT) electricity rates that would maximise the saving. So please consider donating towards this vital investment in the shop’s future. The donations can be a lump sum or a regular monthly contribution (minimum £10) for 10 months.
Please pledge a donation, so that we can start this work as soon as possible and meet the FIT deadline. To pledge, please fill in the online donation form. We will then contact you to arrange payment.
Thank you for your support.
Chris Bullock, manager of Farmborough Community Shop, has been named as one of the finalists in a national award to recognise some of the most inspiring community businesses in the UK.
Our voluntary-run, community-owned business, which opened its doors for the first time on Saturday 30 June 2018 after 6 years of planning and fundraising, offers a range of staples, alongside unique local products and gifts, as well as providing a space/hub for local people to meet over fresh coffee, tea and handmade cake.
Chris’ work in managing the shop is now being recognised by national charity the Plunkett Foundation – an organisation which supports rural communities across the UK to tackle the issues they face through community business. Chris is one of three finalists in the People’s Choice Award which recognises an outstanding individual who has contributed so much to their community business. The award is sponsored by Hastoe Housing Association.
Sam Ross, Company Secretary for Farmborough Community Shop, said: “Chris’ commitment to the shop is continuing to bring in new customers and new volunteers. His keen eye on the health of the business also helps the shop committee to prioritise initiatives that allow our business to grow as well as support our local community.
“Our shop is still learning to find its feet, but Chris’ enthusiasm and ability to adapt to change cannot be underestimated in these early stages of our business. The committee is indebted to Chris for his unfailing support in helping us to achieve the dream that was so long in the making. We are proud that he has been a crucial part of our early success and would like to recognise him for his important part in this, which has changed our village for the better.”
Twenty-one community businesses across the UK have been shortlisted for the 2019 Rural Community Business Awards. Finalists range from farms and pubs to cafés, shops and a woodland.
The awards are sponsored by Hastoe Housing Association, who specialise in providing sustainable, affordable homes to enable local people to remain within their communities and are being presented in partnership with Power to Change – the independent trust that supports community businesses in England – and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation which supports organisations that are building an inclusive, creative and sustainable society.
The awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday 27 November at Burlington House in London.
Winners will take away a cheque for £250.
Find out more about the finalists: https://plunkett.co.uk/awards-2019-finalists/
Find out more about the awards: https://plunkett.co.uk/awards/
Head on down to Farmborough Community Shop for a fun wine tasting evening where we will be pitting reds against whites to see who comes out on top!
We will be introducing the world’s first ‘Wine Swingometer’ to gather opinions and display the final result, as well as debating the burning questions of our time:
– what colour does Farmborough prefer – red or white?
– what three words describe each of the six wine candidates? and
– who will win the final vote to become PW (Prime Wine)?
‘Come Wine With Us’, Thursday 14 November from 6.30pm!
Cost to sample all 6 wines – £3.50, subsequent glasses of wine £3.50 each. Bottles of wine will also be available to purchase, along with any items available in the shop.