Shop Newsletter for May 2015

It’s been a while since the last newsletter but lots has been happening...

1. We’ve installed the new till
2. We have retained five stars for hygiene
3. We had 150 club winners for April
4. We need more help and will be recruiting new members of staff
5. We’ll be having an AGM soon
6. The new till system and software was introduced after Easter Sunday. This is an expensive investment funded in part by Daffodil Weekend contributions and it means our financial system is once again fully supported and safe from the risk we were incurring by using an old and obsolete Microsoft operating system, and application software. Everything has now changed and we have trained all the staff and our volunteers in how to run the new system. There were a few hiccups as could be expected but we think the new system is much better overall. Please be considerate with volunteers as they get used to the new system – remember they only get to use it once every six weeks or so. And thanks once again to Daffodil Weekend for the funds.
7. Helen saw the Inspector from Environmental Services on a surprise visit earlier in the month and we once again retained the best rating possible, 5 stars. It is worth remembering that when the community took over the shop, the rating was a lowly three stars so we have made substantial improvements in our working processes and this has been recognised. We’ll give ourselves a pat on the back!

Note also that the pub and the shop have five star ratings – we must be doing something good in this village!

3. April winners in the 150 Club were Janet Archibald, Eric Fisher, Martin Arthur and Glen Link. March winners were Terry Charlton, Diane Freestone and Keith Bradshaw. Congratulations to them all. You can buy a ball for the remainder on this year’s draws for only £7.50 – for that you will get entry into six more draws each offering prizes of £110 per month. And you support the shop!

4. We will need new staff shortly due to existing staff members retiring from the team. We need someone to do our Saturday opening, working roughly between 7.30 and 1.30 and also someone to open and close the shop on two nights per week (5 hours per day). These do not need to be the same person(s) but could be. Once part of the team, the member of staff is likely to be able to do more hours to cover holidays and sickness if desired. We pay good rates and a small bonus each year depending on performance and whether we make a profit. If you are, or know someone who might be interested, please contact Helen or one of the committee. It will be really important to get the right person(s) if we are to be able to keep our opening times as we do today.

5. Our AGM is set for Wednesday 24th June, and will be held at 8pm in Thriplow Village Hall. All members (subscribers) are welcome to join us to here about the progress the shop has made over the year to January 2015.

That’s all for now.

TVSA