Challenging times at your Store and More

Welcome everyone, summer has definitely retreated and the Season of Mists etc is once again upon us. It would be nice to announce in this newsletter that everything in the ES&M garden is lovely, and in many ways it is; the planters and window boxes are a floral delight, and as a community venture it is enormously successful with large numbers of people enjoying the social and personal benefits whether that be a coffee and chat in the café, learning new skills and crafts at workshops in the Hub, or calling in for milk, groceries and supplies.

However, the stark truth is, that like many businesses in these challenging times, ES&M is barely covering the costs involved in keeping this community venture going. We have seen footfall reduce in recent months in the shop, and activities in the Hub have yet to recover to pre-Covid levels, if indeed they ever will. The café continues to provide a friendly and welcoming focal point for many in the village and wider communities, but in trying to keep prices within acceptable limits for our customers, our profits are narrowing, whilst at the same time our costs inexorably increase.

The ES&M committee met recently for an emergency meeting to try and address these issues and whilst a number of strategies were identified, the essential message was that we need to find ways of attracting customers (and that includes those of you reading this newsletter) to the shop, café and Hub in order to ensure that business turnover meets the level of sales required to maintain viability. We hesitate to use the phrase ‘use it or lose it’ as this has become somewhat clichéd, however the stark truth is, that unless we find a way or ways of generating more income, we will become unsustainable, and soon. Increasing custom may mean a slight change to shopping habits, which we know tend to become ingrained as pressures of time and commitments demand and it is easy to default to the supermarkets where everything can be found under one roof and perceptions are that they are the places where food can be bought at the most favourable or competitive prices. However, here are a few things that you might not know about the shop:

• If we do not stock something that you require, we can order it in and have it ready for you usually within a few days.

  
  

• We can supply quality foodstuffs, fresh and locally produced or sourced and often at prices competitive with nearby supermarkets.

  
  

• We have a great range of delicatessen, artisan and tasty goods that you won’t find in the more generic stores

  
  

• The café is festooned with bespoke arts and crafts of high quality: pottery, jewellery, art work, small decorations and ornaments, wood, glass and leather goods to name but a few. These are frequently refreshed with new lines and items so there is always something different to see, or inspiration for that present or gift. Don’t go online, don’t click on Amazon, come and see the unique offerings and ideas just down the road!

  
  

Customers sometimes remark that it looks as though there is nowhere to park and so they drive on past the shop. It is unfortunate that we only have a few spaces outside the shop, but there are more available for our use in the little car park a few yards away at Ermington Mill, and in the other direction, Andrew and Sue very kindly welcome you to make use of the Bistro car park during opening hours (unless they are hosting a daytime function themselves, in which case it will already be occupied).

Our volunteer force is formidable, and we are so appreciative of the time, energy and commitment that they give. Here are a few things that you might not know about volunteering at ES&M:

You might think that volunteering here is a big commitment, and for some it is, but it by no means necessary to give up large amounts of time; in fact, you can give as little or as much as you like or are comfortable with.

The range of jobs is much wider than you might think, with front-of-house working in the shop or café only part of what keeps us running. Volunteers cover a range of our needs including such diverse tasks as mending and repairing fixtures and fittings, baking, disposing of cardboard or bulky recyclables and myriad other tasks that keep us up and running whilst shaving the costs thereof. Some offer their expertise as and where needed, such as business experience/expertise, finance and management, catering, carpentry and DIY skills and so-on, and on…

We hold small social events for volunteers where they can be updated with latest developments, undertake training where needed and meet other volunteers often over a glass of wine and nibbles. We like to show our appreciation when we can to our amazing workforce wherever and whenever we can.

ES&M is a Community Benefit Society in which members buy shares and can be involved with some of the decision making that goes on behind the day-to-day running of the venture. Some facts:

• Shareholder funds are NOT used to support the general trading accounts for the business, nor for repairs or maintenance. Nor are they used to cover running costs such as electricity bills, telecoms, internet etc. Hence we have no intention to use these funds to keep the business running.
  

• Shareholder funds are used to make capital investments aiming at improving the existing infrastructure, for example new and more efficient freezers and refrigeration units.
  

• We hold occasional events aimed at raising funds for one-off purchases that would not meet the criteria for capital investments. Examples of these might be aprons for staff and volunteers, signage for around and outside the building, plants for the window boxes, picnic benches and parasols. Sometimes these are donated by kindly persons wishing to make a specific contribution, at other times purchases are made by agreement or at a customer’s suggestion.
  

So in conclusion, it’s over to you now. We need help, not only practical but also support for the business in terms of your shopping habits and use of the community spaces if we are to be able to continue offering what we see as an essential element of Ermington life. Please do take the time to fill in a questionnaire to help us learn how we can maintain and sustain ES&M and maybe consider having a think about current shopping habits and whether the store could be incorporated into your lifestyles without too much inconvenience.

Thanks for reading our new look newsletter, and watch out for new posts coming soon!

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