A survey has shown parishioners in a peninsula village back the introduction of a new community shop.

Following a survey initially conducted in 2018 which showed a strong desire for a village shop, Tattingstone parish council put together a feasibility study about opening a shop, although not location has yet been agreed.

The main areas of concern were how much demand there actually would be, and if there would be enough volunteers to run the shop among the 236 households in Tattingstone.

The council believe the feasibility study evidenced a strong level of demand, not just desire, and support with a 55% response rate from the community, plus interest from non-village residents.

More than 120 people, 89 that live in Tattingstone and another 33 from the wider community online via the school, responded to the latest study.

The study showed the likely annual spending levels would be in line with the Plunkett Trust's national average, with a worst case scenario estimated at £77k to a best case scenario of £210k .

Respondents showed the likely level of volunteer support indicated, between 25 to 67 would volunteer.

The study recommended it would probably be prudent to pursue a trial site and temporary shop set up for a six to 12 month period to establish that indicated levels of demand and support truly existed.

Parish councillors now plan to feedback the results to the community over July and August and consult with more stakeholders to seek further ideas and interest, particularly around location options

They will then seek to establish a formal Steering Group by September to lead on key aspects, including finding a location, marketing, communications, funding and finance, product and service sourcing, volunteering, and legals aspects.

The steering group would also seek help/ or involvement from the Plunkett Foundation or others, such as in Stutton and Bentley, that have already set up a shop, and to help get the development programme covering the right bases

See results of the Tattingstone Shop Survey here...