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MARTIN SHOP
newsletter Autumn 2011
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It is hard to believe that our shop has now been open for a whole year! In that time, both sales and the number of customers using the shop have increased, so that the shop's future is looking secure and we hope that it will be providing a much-needed facility in Martin for many years to come.
fOf course, this is only possible because our shop is run on a not-for-profit basis (which keeps costs down) and because of all the unpaid work put in by our volunteers. So to all our volunteers and customers we would like to say a big "thank you" for your support over the past year and we look forward to your continuing support in the future.
Martin Shop committeeMartin Shop committee
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New lower prices!
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We are pleased to announce new permanently lower prices on bread and milk:
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Our bread and milk is delivered by the milkman. Until recently we have been charged doorstep delivery prices and we have not put any markup on bread and milk at all. Now our sales have gone up and we have moved onto a new lower price contract, meaning that we are able to pass on some of the savings to you.
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Help for Heroes walking sticks
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We now have a selection of "thumb sticks" for sale. These sticks are being sold in aid of Help for Heroes. They are made in the village from locally sourced, coppiced hazel. All proceeds will be given to this worthy charity. They are being sold on a donation basis. Suggested minimum donation is £10 per stick. (Editor's note: Similar sticks sell for £25 or more elsewhere, so you may wish to be more generous!)
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Lyburn Farm cheese
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Did you know that we sell local cheese from Lyburn Farm, near Hamptworth in the New Forest?
The cheese is all made on the farm using milk from their own herd of cows, and using vegetarian rennet. We stock three different varieties: Lyburn Gold, which has a creamy smooth texture, Winchester, which is similar but matured for longer giving a fuller flavour and - for something a bit different - Garlic and Nettle!
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All the cheeses consistently win prizes at the British Cheese Awards so by buying them, you are not only supporting a local producer, you are also getting great tasting cheese. If you haven't already bought some, why not give it a try?
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Secret Shopper investigates
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So, how do Martin Shop prices compare with other shops locally? We sent our Secret Shopper to the Co-op in Fordingbridge to find out!
First he did his weekly shop in our village shop, with the total cost of his week's shopping coming to £50.10.
Then, we sent him off to Fordingbridge to check out prices for equivalent items there. Result - total cost of the equivalent goods in the Co-op would be £56.93, plus travel £4.80 (at 40p per mile) . Grand total: £61.73.
That means that shopping in Martin Shop cost almost 20% less than shopping in the Co-op.
Of course, the differences in prices will depend on what products you normally buy, but for our Secret Shopper, at least, shopping locally saved not only time, but money too!
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Tell us what you think!
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Do you have any suggestions for what you would like us to stock? What other services could the shop provide that would be useful to you? What do you like or not like about the shop? Please talk to anyone on the shop committee:
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Beth Blandford-Hull
Janet Richards
Susan Sampson
Suzanne Spreadbury
Sue Sykes
or else come into the shop and let us know or email info@futurefarms.org.uk.
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