Winsham Shop & Post Office - The George Update 1st March 2019

It is now a week on from the Planning Committee result and the work has begun in earnest to deal with the aftermath. There is much to do and we will be on the agenda at the Winsham Parish Council meeting to be held next Wednesday 6th March in the Jubilee Hall.

Here is a summary of where we are as of today:
Number One Priority - Existing Premises
In order to enable us to continue trading in our existing premises, we need to ensure that we have a new lease in place with our current landlord, effective as from 1 September 2019.  Negotiations are under way to enable this to happen.
We will update you as soon as we have an answer on this.

Potential Appeal - The George.  ‘Change of Use’ decision
We believe that the decision at the Planning Committee should have been 'approval by the planning committee conditional on installing appropriate safety barriers being licensed and approved by County Highways to meet their requirements'.

We still believe that The George is currently the best available and funded option on the table. We believe that there may be grounds for appeal and when we have decided the way forward, we will report back to our investors and shareholders. Our problem is that the appeal process is anticipated to be lengthy, possibly 6 –12 months.
In the meantime we have taken appropriate action to express to our Council officers
our serious concerns with the Planning Committee meeting process and outcome.

Understandably, the owner of The George has now decided to put it on the market and if - and when - he secures a buyer, this option will be lost for our village due to the Planning Committee's decision on 20th February.

Other options for consideration
Other options will be reviewed and any ideas are welcome - we have already received several and will be sharing what we can at next week's Parish Council Meeting.

Exceptions: As we have already reviewed and rejected the Winsham Playing fields/Sports & Social Club/Band Hut, based on a number of key criteria such as accessibility (highways issues), location and - very importantly - the ability to fund, we do not plan to revisit these options.  Nor do we sense any great groundswell of support for these locations.
It is not that these options could not be made possible - most things are possible - but as stated to the Planning Committee, Winsham Shop Committee does not  believe that these proposals will satisfy the needs of the village. Quite apart from this, no new option can be undertaken lightly.  Even to get to the point of deciding to present just one of them to our shareholders would require a huge amount of work over a considerable period of time, including preparing a viable business case and funding model, not to mention raising the necessary funds. Highways and Planning issues are, as we well know, a major factor in any such project.  It should be noted that it has taken over two years of intensive work to get to this point with The George project - an available and existing building requiring minimal change. 

As you are aware, there is nothing to prevent others taking on this mantle and we will provide them with any relevant information. 

Our next step will be to present our proposed way forward to shareholders and The George investors at a Winsham Shop Limited Extraordinary meeting, date to be advised.

Remember anyone can become a shareholder for £10.

 If anyone has any questions or comments please contact us on winshamshopkitchen@gmx.com

Thank you

Winsham Shop Management Committee

Previously... 

THE GEORGE UPDATE -16th February -

WE NEED YOU TO ACT THIS COMING WEEK

 It's your Community Shop & Post Office & your chance to show your support - do not assume it is a done deal.

The majority of our community have demonstrated their support to relocate the village shop and Post Office to The George

It is now key decision time and you can make a difference by attending the  Area West Planning Committee Meeting, Wednesday 20th February at the Guild Hall in Chard 

We have worked hard over the last two years to provide a solution for the long term security of our village shop & Post Office, with everyone being given ample opportunity to share their solution to the problem presented 

This is the only CENTRALLY LOCATED, AVAILABLE, VIABLE & VERY IMPORTANTLY- FUNDED OPTION on the table, without it there is a real risk our community shop & Post Office will not survive, with an imminent  risk that our current lease will not be renewed in September 19   

As anticipated the Planning Officer has recommended refusal based on highways issues .However, it is down to the Planning Committee to make the final decision and understand inpact of such a decision on our village.

We cannot stress enough, how important it is that we show the councillors how much support there is in the village for this, by turning out for the meeting .Please do what you can to be there and encourage others to do so  

Please be aware that the Planning Committee report is now available to view on line - see attached link - look in Area West committee meeting agenda - item 15 

http://modgov.southsomerset.gov.uk/ieDocHome.aspx?Categories

Thank you to the many of you have already let us know that you are attending .For all those attending the meeting please pick up your rosettes in the shop from Monday and wear at the meeting to show you are a supporter.  

PLEASE NOTE THE MEETING STARTS AT 5.30PM for councillors .However, we have been advised planning items will start no earlier than 6.30pm.

Our suggestion is that you aim to arrive 6-6.15pm.  

Any questions please let us know

Winsham Shop Management Committee  

95 people attended the parish council meeting on Wednesday,9th January, when the Parish Council unanimously supported the revised planning application 
Picture by Stuart Davie ( Vice Chairman-Winsham Parish Council)

Update: The George 1/2/19 

We are eagerly awaiting the Planning recommendation report from Mike Hicks, the Planning Officer regarding our change of use application for The George, which we believe will be delivered by the 8th February. We expect that this decision will be referred to the Area West Planning Committee meeting due to take place on Wednesday 20th February at the Guildhall in Chard . We know based on your letters of support that the vast majority of this community supports  this application.

Please be aware that our community shop only continues to survive due to the enormous efforts of our many volunteers who choose to give their time for free to support the whole community and our shareholders who shape its future. We are not just a place to buy stuff and a Post Office, but a key social hub, communication centre and support particularly for those without transport, isolated and infirm in our community. 

We are happy to do this as we believe our shop is fundamental to our village life. We have worked hard to deliver what we believe is the best available, centrally located ,funded and viable option to secure its future, as well as give us the added benefit of a community cafe and public toilet facilities during shop opening hours . 

We ask that if you value your shop and appreciate this that you show your support by: 

1. Displaying a poster in your house and/or car window 'Proud to support our community shop' posters available in the shop. 

2. Attend the planning committee meeting on 20th February to demonstrate  to the councillors who sit on this committee that this is what you want. A huge presence of people in support makes a real difference .

Winsham Shop Management Committee