Preparing for Trading

The Ilsington Village Shop is at the stage of setting up all the procedures for the shop and the management committee, necessary for when we start trading later this year.  We have read the excellent Urchfont Community Shop Handbook and are wondering if there are any other shops who would be prepared to share their procedures with us, so that we can combine ideas from various sources.  Thanking you, in anticipation.

Martin Foster, Treasurer

 Can anyone give us some advice as to buying an EPOS system? The only ones we have found cost between £3k - £4.5k and we can't afford it! We are aware that having an EPOS system from the start is a sensible option but do other shops manage without or can you recommend a system that is cheaper? We were under the impression that having customer support was essential with these things but perhaps not? Does this make it cheaper? Any ideas gladly received... 

 We are in the process of setting up our new shop, at the stage of employing a manager. So far we have managed without an accountant but have realised that we need one to manage the accounts now. Can anyone advise me as to what they employ their accountant to do and what is left to the manager? Also, any advice on how much you pay the accountant much appreciated. Thank you. 

We are to open our Shop in March and have recruited 2 members of staff - Does anyone have a contract of employment that they would be kind enough to let me have? A huge thank you in advance!

Rachael

Radley Village Shop's new EPOS system has just gone live which is very exciting. Is anyone interested in buying our now unwanted till? £180 ono. It's a CASIO TE 2000 electronic cash register bought new in May 2007. 

If you're interested either contact me (joyce@radleyvillageshop.com) or phone the shop on 01235 526231 to talk to our shop manager John.

(Radley is in Oxfordshire on the river Thames between Oxford and Abingdon).

It would be good to know the decision-making process that people have gone through/are going through, to acquire their EPOS systems. This can be one of the most expensive initial purchases and yet it is probably the one that most committees know the least about. 

Also, how many shops that are trading without one, feel that they could benefit from having an EPOS system?

We are thinking about First Aid training preparatory to opening our shop next Spring. The courses seem very expensive and we wonder if there are any requirements for numbers or types of staff who should undergo the training, as we don't want to spend money unnecessarily.

Pamela Betts

Hampstead Norreys Community Shop

It is worth approaching the newspaper wholesalers for favourable terms when starting up a community shop. Smiths News, for example, will impose six months'  firm-sale conditions normally - however, they will waive this for community shops, and offer sale-or-return from the start (they impose a bond, however).

We have 3 wall bay units for sale. Spec is as follows:

Two wall bays each 2 metres high x 75cm wide x 60cm deep.

One wall bay 2 metres high x 100cm wide x 60cm deep.

Five shelves on each unit including base shelf.

Adjustable feet.

£25.00 per bay, buyer collects.

Kington St Michael Village Shop, North Wiltshire 

WE are opening on 10th july and have been given acctv camera by a benefactor. We have the forms for applying for registration, but need some guidance on the essential equipment,training and procedures for operating it in a small village shop. Martin Lee 01747 852273. Thanks