[scarlettoara]

im thinking of buying a village shop and was wondering if anyone had experience of this?
i have worked in a takeaway shop, and have run my own business - but not actually worked in a general store shop before. but im sure i could cope.
the shop is small enough to run single handed. iv looked at 2 yrs of accounts and for a 60hr week, and it seems i would be paying myself between £4 and £8 per hour (after all expenses but before tax). that doesnt seem very much to me? it would prohibit me employing anyone else except family.
any opinions on this?
the house and location are lovely. how exactly do you value a business when it has a house included?
thanks

[Lesley Silvester]

It's a tricky one.  Village shops are closing all over the country as they are not financially viable these days but they are an important service.  I doubt if you will be able to earn a decent salary, at least to start with unless you can offer something to make it worth people shopping in the village rather than online or travelling into the nearest town. 

Are there local craft workers whose goods you could stock on a sale or return basis, for example?  Or maybe sell home made cakes or meals that either you or someone else could make on SoR.  Those suggestions might depend on whether or not the shop is in an area that attracts tourists. 

Is there a post office involved?  That, at least, would give you a small salary.

[Roxy]

All the villages round us had at least one shop, some two.  Sadly, they have all gone now, except the Post Office, who has started selling groceries, and also doing sandwiches and drinks. Presumably to try and keep the Post Office going.  Its a shame, as the village shop was always such an important part of village life.....but......people would rather drive to the supermarket, as obviously  there is more choice, and its cheaper.  Except when it snows, and then the Post office cum shop does a roaring trade.
 
Location of a village shop can have an impact on how much business it does - ie.  is it likely to catch some passing trade?  Also, how big is the village- and  are most of the residents commuters who work in the town??Is the shop large enough to stock a wide variety of goods, to appeal to different people?
 
Looking on the positive side. Older people, and those who do not have a car,  appreciate a local shop, but if they are on a bus route, its likely they will head to the town for their main shop ......
 
 

[Fowgill Farm]

It sounds like you've done your homework and are prepared to put in the long hours, our village lost its shop years ago and the next village is about to as the bloke who has it is thelaziest tosser in the world (think he bought it to run it down with a view to turning it into a house!) he opens 8.30 - 11am and 3pm -5pm which is when all the village has either gone to work or not back, he complains bitterley than none of the villagers use the shop   but you can't get a paper on your way out on a morning and you can't drop in for a pint of milk or a loaf of bread on your way home so what does he expect?
i think if you're prepared to go for it and offer a good wide range of services for people using the shop it will be a success
good luck
mandy
 

[goosepimple]

On the other hand scarlet, a village shop was taken over in a village we used to live near.  They made it look 1950s (so Famous Five sort of thing) and it really took off.  It has a small post office counter at the side, they have a good quality coffee machine, got their own wine and jam labels printed (that's a great thing), a few seats outside, good quality cakes in a nice old fashioned cake stand - everyone loves it, get the right old fashioned music etc.  Just like playing shops.  Could be great.  It is a very pleasant place to go.  They have a good quality deli/vacum packed meat stand. It's a pretty tiny sized shop but really great to shop in.  They've had an awning made and have an old fashioned cart outside with fresh veg. It's all good quality, not just greasy caf stuff.  They have big old fashioned signs on the main road outside the village.  Sounds like it could be great, it's what you make it.  I think these were a professional couple who lost their jobs in the recession and just decided to go for it.  They were shorlisted for an award. People will come if it has a reputation for being interesting and quality - that doesn't always mean it has to be pricey.  Go for it, it's the fear of the unknown 

[scarlettoara]

the shop is situated on one of scotlands western isles, so there is no supermarket nearby and only one other shop. there are 600 people living on the island and tourists visit 4 mths of the year.
people do get their shopping from a supermarket via the ferry, when they can, though ferries are often cancelled through winter due to weather.
there arent many jobs on the island so its an opportunity to live there and have an income. it has a nice house included,  i have seen 2 yrs of accounts - one yr is £13k net profit and the other £25k pa for a 60 hour week.
we would struggle to live on £13k as we still have to pay bills in the residiential house aswell. £25k is ok.
there are plenty of crafters around and a post-office/off license is included. they are already selling locally made sausages etc.
i have thought about doing veg boxes but delivery would be difficult as id have to pay someone.
the opening hours could be lengthened too.
thanks

[Fowgill Farm]

i'd forget about the veg boxes unless you can guarantee a regular good quality supply and concentrate on the off licence, yummy goodies lines.
mandy

[Lesley Silvester]

I think you stand more of a chance on an island.  As you say, when the ferries aren't running, people can only shop in the local place.  Just make sure you have plenty of stock as you won't be able to get to cash and carry either if the ferries are off.

The craft idea could work for both you and the craft workers so it's a definite plus.

Hope it works out for you.