We are looking for a consultant to help us with our feasibility study for a community shop on the shore near Dunoon, Argyll. Anyone have any suggestions of how we can find somebody? Jean Maskell
We have 25 years experience in rural development - much of it from our previous base in North Argyll. We prepared the Business Plan and secured the funding for the reconstruction of the Appin Community Cooperative shop in Port Appin, Duror Kentallen Village Hall reconstruction int al and would be happy to talk your project over with you. We operate a reduced fee package for small community projects in Scotland. I will provide community references and details of our experience directly to you if you like. My email is toddshaw@msn.com
We were at a rural networking event yesterday and it was suggested to us by Sandra Hogg that we respond to this request. Community Links Scotland is a social enterprise that works with housing associations and community organsiations across Scotland (and with a particular focus currently on Argyll and Bute) to help them develop ideas and bring projects to fruition. We are highly experienced in producing feasibility studies for community facilities and enterprises. We are also usually able to suggest (and secure) funds to support our involvement should they be required.
If I can be of any help, please don't hesitate to contact me: emma@comlinks.org.uk.
The natural choice would be to seek information from the Plunkett Foundation about who across the Uk has completed good quality feasibility studies of this kind before - and, perhaps, to seek their financial support to enable you to appoint a consultant that has a track record and can provide you with evidence of quality outputs.
We would be happy to talk you through the process should that be of help. All contact details are on the website at the CADISPA Trust (www.CADISPA.org).
There have already been some good suggestions of where you might find a consultant. Also the Plunkett Foundation recently launched an website for people involved in community shops which might be useful:
As a retail specialist based in Cumbria I deliver consultancy suppport to independent rural and market town retailers, including community shops. My work is delivered through South Lakes Development Trust, a not for profit charitable trust of which I am also CEO.
I am also contracted as a Making Local Food Work Consultant for the Plunkett Foundation in Cumbria and between 1998 and 2005 was contracted by The Countryside Agency as their Retail and Rural Service Consultant in the north west.
I would be pleased to discuss how I might be able to assist.
Further information available via www.sldt.co.uk or contact via bill@sldt.co.uk
Scotland: National Rural Network
Community Shop Feasibility
We have 25 years experience in rural development - much of it from our previous base in North Argyll. We prepared the Business Plan and secured the funding for the reconstruction of the Appin Community Cooperative shop in Port Appin, Duror Kentallen Village Hall reconstruction int al and would be happy to talk your project over with you. We operate a reduced fee package for small community projects in Scotland. I will provide community references and details of our experience directly to you if you like. My email is toddshaw@msn.com
Community Links Scotland
We were at a rural networking event yesterday and it was suggested to us by Sandra Hogg that we respond to this request. Community Links Scotland is a social enterprise that works with housing associations and community organsiations across Scotland (and with a particular focus currently on Argyll and Bute) to help them develop ideas and bring projects to fruition. We are highly experienced in producing feasibility studies for community facilities and enterprises. We are also usually able to suggest (and secure) funds to support our involvement should they be required.
If I can be of any help, please don't hesitate to contact me: emma@comlinks.org.uk.
Community Shop Feasibility Study
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll be following them up shortly.
Jean Maskell
Community Shop Feasibility study
The natural choice would be to seek information from the Plunkett Foundation about who across the Uk has completed good quality feasibility studies of this kind before - and, perhaps, to seek their financial support to enable you to appoint a consultant that has a track record and can provide you with evidence of quality outputs.
We would be happy to talk you through the process should that be of help. All contact details are on the website at the CADISPA Trust (www.CADISPA.org).
New website for community shops
There have already been some good suggestions of where you might find a consultant. Also the Plunkett Foundation recently launched an website for people involved in community shops which might be useful:
https://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/en/node/1965
Community Shop Feasibility
As a retail specialist based in Cumbria I deliver consultancy suppport to independent rural and market town retailers, including community shops. My work is delivered through South Lakes Development Trust, a not for profit charitable trust of which I am also CEO.
I am also contracted as a Making Local Food Work Consultant for the Plunkett Foundation in Cumbria and between 1998 and 2005 was contracted by The Countryside Agency as their Retail and Rural Service Consultant in the north west.
I would be pleased to discuss how I might be able to assist.
Further information available via www.sldt.co.uk or contact via bill@sldt.co.uk
Community Shop Feasibiliy Study
Try the Plunkett Foundation http://www.plunkett.co.uk/whatwedo/rcs/whatwedo.cfm
they may not be able to help you directly but will almost certainly be able to point you in the right direction
Community shop feasibility study
You could ask the Community Retailing Network who support small communities seeking to retain their shops, http://www.communityretailing.co.uk/.
The Development Trust Association Scotland has a consultancy service you could try, http://www.dtascot.org.uk/poolweb.cfm
Highland and Island Enterprise may be able to help, http://www.hie.co.uk/strengthen-your-community.htm