The results of the 2023 village survey

The 2023 survey was distributed along with an explanatory leaflet to all households in the village in February 2023, seeking views on the proposal to have a shop owned and run by the community custom-built on the rent-free space available next to the Village Hall.

Of the households that could be expected to respond, excluding those used as short-term rental properties, those unoccupied or too far from the village centre, more than 70% completed the questionnaire.  

Headlines

The 2023 questionnaire served to confirm the desire of a clear majority of the village to have a shop, to show the substantial readiness of villagers to contribute financially to a community owned shop and to underline that we can expect there to be sufficient volunteers to enable the shop to run.

Take a closer look at the results below.

Q. How important is it for Kirtlington to have its own shop on a scale of 1 (not important at all) to 5 (very important?

Over 83% of respondents thought that having a shop was important.

Indeed several of those who were sceptical about the project’s viability or gave a low score for importance, said they were willing to support it by using it, volunteering and buying shares.

Q. How much time would you be willing to volunteer?

Over 100 people said they would be willing to volunteer in the shop.

We are greatly encouraged by the number willing to commit to weekly shifts and are confident that with even minimal support from the much larger numbers willing to help on an occasional basis, that there will be a good bank of volunteers to ensure a generous level of service in the shop and café.

Q. are there any specialist skills that you could offer to help with the running of the shop?

9 people with retail and management experience are willing to work full or part-time,

with 41 others identifying skills, experience and interests that they could contribute.

Investment will be by shares. Please indicate how many shares you would be willing to invest.

185 households have indicated that they are willing to buy shares,

representing roughly half of the total of households that could be expected to respond.  Others indicated they needed more information before committing themselves. 

Q. Do you have any suggestions on what the shop should stock?

Nearly half of respondents took the trouble to suggest goods they would like to see on sale. 

Most comments support the idea of a combination of competitively priced essentials and a selection of higher-end goods, as far as possible locally produced.