The Farmborough Community Shop has been located on the east side (rear) of the Farmborough Memorial Hall.
It is formed of two Portakabin modules and shares access to the site with the hall. This will:
- Provide ease of access on foot for most villagers, especially those most isolated or vulnerable.
- Provide parking in the existing hall car park with the possible requirement for additional spaces nearby.
- Provide visibility from the main road to attract passing trade.
- Afford a good level of security.
- Provide a safe, friendly and inviting environment for visitors.
The building
The appearance and feeling of the shop are very important, together with the specification of technologies and materials. This design element will consider the following feedback from members of the community, which describe a quality of materials and place and also enhance the notion of pride and esteem for the project:
It is important to the community…that the exterior of the shop is inviting and in keeping with the heritage of our village.
It should recognise the importance of natural light and provide an independent shop feel…in order to achieve this it would be good to make use of local tradesmen and more traditional techniques, where possible, to create an environment that is different to that of the ‘branded’ shops in surrounding villages.
The community shop needs to be light, bright and inviting, modern, but with a familiar village feel that’s welcoming and friendly. It would be great if it could incorporate more natural materials.
Environmental efficiency is also an important factor and there are a number of sustainable approaches that can be taken in the construction process and the running of the shop, ranging from material selection to energy generation:
Energy efficiency and other ‘eco’ factors should be considered for the design, build and running of the shop.
…natural light should be used where possible to reduce the amount of artificial light required…
All these factors will be considered throughout the design process to ensure the vision of the project is maintained.
Requirements and considerations
The shop building will require the following minimum areas:
- Shop Floor – trading area – 50sqm minimum (recommended minimum suggested by the Plunkett Foundation)
- Storage / Stock area – 25sqm minimum
- WC’s – Disabled – 4sqm
- Office (for single individual) – 6sqm
- Cloakroom – 6sqm
- Plant – 4sqm
- Waste Storage – 2sqm
Additional areas to be considered for the future:
- Coffee Shop – 20sqm (the coffee shop space has been defined as forming part of a possible future expansion if the draw of the community shop as a meeting place proves positive)
- External seating area – 20sqm
Cost of development
Setting up the community shop will require over £150,000.
£25,770 has been raised through memberships from villagers and local businesses, and this community funding has helped us to gain £121,200 in grant funding.
An additional £15,766 has also been gained through personal and business donations, and fundraising events.
Please see our funding page for further details.