The aim of the Bythams Community Shop is to provide a local service for the villages of Castle Bytham and Little Bytham and their nearby parishes.
The main villages have only infrequent bus services to local towns. The surrounding smaller communities have even less access to public transport.
Before we opened the shop, the villages that comprise the Glenside News Parish magazine community in Lincolnshire and Clipsham in Rutland had journeys of more than 3 miles to the nearest shop and 10 miles to the nearest supermarket.
In December 2013 the only 2 shops serving the communities of Castle Bytham and Little Bytham and the adjacent hamlets closed. Within a short period a Steering Group (SG), formed by local people undertook a feasibility study of the merits of local community shops and possibility of identifying potential sites for such a shop. The average distance for the Bytham communities to the nearest small shops is a round trip 6 miles; and 20 miles to and from the nearest major urban shopping centres.
It was decided that an essential requirement of the project was to be able to draft a Business Plan. Following a costing and analysis of 9 possible potential sites the Steering Group decided that the project should consist of two phases; phase 1 was the acquisition and equipping of a suitable premises and phase 2 was a Business Plan for the operation and management of a community shop and cafe. The feasibility study indicated the best long term site option was a new venue more central to the main settlement areas of both villages offering off road parking.
It was also decided that the new community would allocate 2/3 of the available facility floor space to a shop and the remainder to a community cafe to reinforce the concept of it serving as a community hub. Throughout this process the Steering Group received support and guidance from the Plunkett Foundation, including numerous case studies of, and visits to, other community shops. Plunkett, Lincolnshire CVS and Lincolnshire County Council grant fund managers provided invaluable help with guidance on fund raising. The Steering Group registered the project as an Industrial and Provident Society (IPS Registration 32400R) – renamed “Community Benefit Society” in August 2014, and instigated a programme of fund raising for phase 1.
In 2017, following the community share issue, the SG became a Shop Management Committee, with AGMs and formal accounting procedures. Through careful planning and much hard work, the shop finally opened its doors on 1st June 2020.
We, the management team for the Bythams Community Shop, believe that the villages that we serve deserve a community spirit that comes from accessible and supported local resources. In Castle Bytham alone, we are fortunate to have two great pubs, a thriving village hall, a supported church, access to post office services and two complimentary shops. Not forgetting our exceptional Midsummer Festival & Bonfire Night that we all enjoy.
It is, however, only with your continued support as members of this community that we can assure you of such continued services.
Here’s a few words of introduction from each of our team, who willingly give their time and experience to continue to move such services forward and strengthen the position of the Bythams Shop in our community.
Stephen Barratt – our Chairperson
Having had a couple of decades working in the Retail Sector, both in leading people and in operational management, I have the opportunity to offer many of these experiences in my leadership of our shop.
I feel strongly for our shop’s purpose in our community and recognise the value that our services offer to the residents of the Bythams and the many surrounding villages.
I have had the privilege of living in Castle Bytham for 15-years with Rachael, my wife, and our two daughters.
Ian Dugmore – our Company Secretary
I served in the RAF for 34 years before retiring as an Air Commodore in 2009. As a Tornado Pilot, I was privileged to Command No 617 Squadron, the Dambusters, from 1995-1998. My last appointment was in Ministry of Defence as Director of Safety and Regulation. My first civilian appointment was Director of the UK Airprox Board, responsible for investigating “airmiss” incidents. In 2013 I became the Chief Executive of an independent confidential aviation safety reporting programme – The CHIRP Charitable Trust.
My wife Sue and I have lived in Castle Bytham since 2004.
Dominic Sale – our Treasurer
Having lived in Castle Bytham for over 30-years, I know and understand the value that a shop such as ours can bring to our community. As well as acting as Treasurer for the Community Shop, I have served on the CB Parish Council for 8-years.
Throughout my career I have redesigned and produced management accounts for SMEs and for larger businesses, such as Anglian Water. I am also highly experienced in month-end reporting, presenting robustly managed balance sheets and financial recommendations.
Ingrid Goode – Dep Chair - Supplier Sourcing and Shop Marketing
I am a self-employed designer, who has lived in Castle Bytham for 22 years with my husband Dave and our dog Gem, so I am passionate about our shop and its role within our community.
I joined the committee to bring a fresh outlook to the look & feel of the shop, in terms of appearance and products, making it more village friendly in style. This has been done at minimal cost, having secured resources free of charge from local suppliers.
I have also researched and sourced new local suppliers, enabling us to offer a broader range of quality local produce delivered at an improved margin.
Mark Sismey-Durrant
I moved to Castle Bytham in May 2021 with my wife Helen. I have worked at senior levels in the banking industry over the past 46 years, and have substantial Board and Trustee experience, currently acting as Chair of Zempler Bank Ltd. I am a graduate of Loughborough University and spent 10 years as a boarder at Stamford School.
Paul Bates -
I’ve lived in Castle Bytham for 3 years, with my partner Hilary and our labrador Ben.
I retired after spending 40 years in a wide range of businesses including medium and large sized manufacturing, and Royal Mail where I finished my career as MD of the Wholesale Business Unit.
I’ve been a volunteer in the shop for more than a year and I have had previous experience of the voluntary sector as a Trustee of Home-Start in South Northants.
Andrea Jones -
Having moved up to Castle Bytham from South East London in June 2023, I wanted to get to know some of my neighbours, so joined the shop as a volunteer, and found I was quickly embraced by the local community.
Prior to our move, whilst at home with my daughters, I worked as a massage therapist for 20 years. I then spent the last nine years working in Early Intervention and Family Support for Bromley Council, only leaving that post due to our move to Lincolnshire.
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