Welcome to The Shop at Strood Green!
FIRST VISIT TO OUR WEBSITE? HERE'S OUR STORY!
The Shop at Strood Green is a community shop organised and financed by the community of Strood Green, Betchworth, Surrey. The project has had a long and chequered history, starting in 2005 with the loss of the post office, but the really hard work started in February 2008. By October 2008, nearly £80,000 had been raised in grants, donations, share sales, and loans, enabling the Strood Green Shop Association to start renovations to a very dilapidated shop unit.
Over the winter of 2008/9 the shop was transformed by a huge community effort. It now has up-to-date electrics, security, IT facilities, air conditioning and lighting, but thanks to a rather eclectic mix of old wooden shelving and some standard shelving obtained from Woolworths' demise, has a unique and comfortable atmosphere. On 21st March 2009, the red ribbon was cut by one of Strood Green's older residents, John Beaven, along with Toby Songhurst, who is (at 8 years old) our youngest volunteer and regularly helps with price-gunning and shelf-stacking!
A dedicated team of volunteers has created a true village shop, at the heart of the community, where people come not just to shop, but to meet and exchange news, conversation and laughter. Our emphasis is on customer service. Right from the start, the shop has surpassed all expectations. And it's not just the shop that is thriving - the little cafe area at the back of the shop has also taken off, with people popping in regularly for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat. On sunny days the tables outside are always occupied, too.
The shop sells newspapers, magazines, dairy and regular groceries alongside a good range of locally sourced products: jams, chutneys, cheeses, butters, icecream, sausages and bacon, homemade cakes, local seasonal vegetables, pies, pastries. We have OVER 20 local suppliers! Sandwiches are made on site, plus we offer a bakery - fresh bread and croissants are baked on site every day.
We have two internet terminals for public use, and a public high-volume, A4/A3 photocopier which also serves as a good quality printer for the computers, plus free WiFi. The shop has its own Post Point, which enables residents to send letters and parcels nationally and internationally, with special delivery and recorded delivery available. It is one of a tiny handful of shops in the country to offer such a service, and we have designed our own logo for this, which we are happy to offer to other up-and-coming community shops.
__________________________________________________________
OTHER SERVICES at the shop: A Paypoint terminal allows household and general bills to be paid for by cash, as well as mobile phone e-top-ups and the London congestion charge. The shop also offers free cashback on purchases of £5 or over. In this way we are offering as many services normally provided by a post office as possible.
A paperback library is situated in the cafe and is free of charge. The cafe is also available for meetings held by community groups.
We have launched an innovative scheme called CROP FOR THE SHOP - which encourages the local residents to grow specifically for the shop. If you come to the shop at the moment you will find locally grown courgettes, salad leaves, herbs, rhubarb, berries - whatever is in season - and it couldn't be fresher or more local!
For detailed information about how the project was planned, have a look at Our Aims.
Come and visit us at 1 Tynedale Road, Strood Green, Betchworth, Surrey RH3 7JD.
RING THE SHOP ON
01737 843965. Managers Jane Holmes and Christine Nolan are always
happy to hear from you. We take orders for cakes, bread, sandwiches
and flowers, and we are prepared to offer home delivery or general
groceries and fresh produce. If you wish to contact the Management
Committee, please ring the Shop and they will refer you to the
Chair or Secretary.