NOTE: This site is updated regularly to keep you posted.
Siop Gymunedol / HAVARDS / Community Shop
East Street, Trefdraeth, Sir Benfro. SA42 0SY. 01239 820300
OPEN: Monday-Saturday 9am to 5:30pm
SPECIAL OFFER - click for large version
Beach gear in stock. See special offer:
Announcing a MACMILLAN CAKES AND COFFEE day on Friday 29th September. This event will run in the Cook Shop from 10am to 4pm; no charge; donations to Macmillan welcome. More details on our events page.
26th September: Our August/September newsletter is published. We cover the summer trading, and also much other news including details about our new treasurer, Simon Reeves.
24th August: Volunteer Garden Party. An event was held to thank the many volunteers whose support has been essential to the success of Havards Community shop. There is more detail on the News page.
29th July: Our July newsletter is published. It contains recent news including that Vic (Victoria) Negus has joined the Havards Team as assistant manager. Our biggest issue at present is the need for a new Treasurer. More details and offers are in the newsletter.
16th June: Those investors who are eligible should have received their SITR (Social Investment Tax Relief) certificates. More details here.
Volunteers - we still need help in the shop. Please register here.
Share Certificates: We are working on a design; we will let investors know when these are ready.
To keep up to date please subscribe to our newsletters.
You can view all NEWSLETTERS on the newletter page.
Note: Older news and links for media coverage have been moved to the News Page. Also see more news and pictures on our Facebook page.
Havards Community Shop has hanging baskets for the summer
First Community Owned Hardware Shop in Britain!
We started trading on 29th November 2022. We are advised that this is the first ever Community Owned Hardware Shop in Britain.
At about the same time we also heard that we have been successful in our application for the COF fund (see this newsletter). This is excellent news as we will be able to fully implement the plans for growth to support both the community and
a viable trading business
Become a member: You can still become a member of the Community Benefit Society that owns Havards as we are still accepting investments.
About Havards
Havards store is a traditional Ironmongers shop dating back to 1840. It is a vital asset for the Community of Trefdraeth, and the many visitors. But the owner was unable to find someone to take the shop over and it was likely that it would be shut it down if a way was not found to keep it open.
Our chair, Clive, ready to serve you
We have set up a Community Benefit Society to purchase and to run Havards as a Community Shop. The name of this society is Siop Havards Gymunedol Tydrath (SHGT). There is more information on the ABOUT US page.
Our business plan required us to raise approximately £475,000, from share sales, grants and loans. We reached this target in November 2022, and purchased the shop on 26th November..
Thanks to everyone who purchased shares and made investments!
Background
This initiative launched in June 2021 with some excellent support from Planed with local and national press releases. It was featured on National S4C programme ”HENO”.
The funds raised have allowed us to purchase the Havards Shop for the community. Our next stage is to plan renovations and improvements, to ensure we have a viable buillding and business.
Our team put up a new banner for the Share Launch on 30th May!
There are now many communities across the country ensuring that local shops are kept open through community purchase. We obtained support from the Plunkett Foundation (we are now a member!), Coop Wales and Planed. Please see the following link: https://plunkett.co.uk?case-studies/
Share purchase
This is a summary of the share purchase scheme which was launched on 30th May 2022. The full and definitive version is the share offer document.
- Shares are sold at £1 each.
- Minimum investment £200 (200 shares), maximum investment £33,000 (33,000 shares) or 10% of the total raised whichever is the greater.
- Once you own 200 shares you are a full Member of the Society. You will then have a say in how it runs - each member gets one vote.
- We aim to pay interest on shares dependent on annual profits - you can opt for either 0%, up to 2%, or up to 4% interest. The more interest you are willing to forgo, the more money can be invested back into the community.
- We also welcome gifts.
- We obtained approval from HMRC to offer eligible investors Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR). This allows UK Tax Payers to claim 30% tax relief on their shareholding. However, a limit was imposed and that limit was quickly reached. More information is here.
Why support us?
It's a good investment! Community Shares are an excellent way to support this community venture, you will have a voting voice and help to keep a vital part of the history of the town and an essential community facility open.
Help the Community
Play your part in our community - the shop will save trips further afield, at a time when we need to reduce unnecessary travel. Shops are at the heart of any small town, servicing needs and helping bring people together.
Why else should I invest in Havards?
Here's where you can not only get a good return, but play your part in sustaining a vital facility. We hope the many visitors to Newport, who return time and again, will also consider investing.