SIOP HAVARDS
THE 1st COMMUNITY OWNED HARDWARE SHOP IN BRITAIN
Shwmae/hello everyone!
Welcome to our May Newsletter, bringing you up to date with our activities since we last made contact in early March.
With Spring arriving and everything starting to grow, the gardeners amongst you will recognise the benefits of using peat free compost – we were able to secure 60 bags of Martin’s “TLC” which sold out very quickly indeed. We have already placed our order for 2025!
Seeds have been selling well as you might also expect; so have the bedding plants that we have on offer, supplied by Penrallt in Moylegrove.
We have also been very busy building the Havards’ team with the arrival of Paul Dalglish who has taken over the Assistant Manager role – with Vic moving to work more with our volunteers. See below for more on Paul’s background.
Another significant change which has kept us very busy has been the adoption of a new EPOS system which should bring significant benefits of real time inventory control. Inevitably this means a good deal of ‘backroom’ work integrating the old and new systems. A role that Paul has taken to like a duck to water!
We’re aiming to bring you news on our progress on a bi-monthly basis – together with seasonal product ideas. If you do have any thoughts or questions in between time please don’t hesitate get in touch with us.
Thank you!
BUSINESS NEWS
Havards’ First Year Trading
Havards has now completed its first full trading year since it was purchased by the community. Whilst the accounts are currently being finalised by the auditors, we are able to report that turnover is showing an improvement for the first full 12 months of trading and are currently forecasting a breakeven position before depreciation, notwithstanding incurring higher staff costs.
The first year’s trading has thrown up a number of issues, not least the absence of a robust stock system which has now been addressed. In addition, a significant amount of work and time has gone into ensuring the accuracy of our financial records.
We are yet to benefit from the enlargement of the retail space in the shop, nevertheless pending the necessary building works, our aim for the next 12 months is to increase turnover, manage stock more effectively and to produce a trading surplus. We will also be aiming to provide members with a timely review of performance on a quarterly basis in future.
A more detailed report on our first year’s performance will be provided ahead of the AGM.
Our AGM
We’re planning to hold this in August so that we can provide as many of our membership as possible with the best opportunity to attend in person – at the moment we’re pencilling in the week before the August Bank Holiday.
We will of course also offer the ability for those of you who aren’t able to be in the area at that time to join us on-line through a Zoom link.
More news on this will be shared in the next Newsletter.
Update on Plans for Reshaping Our Sales Area
We are still hoping that we will be able to undertake significant works this Autumn/Winter to reconfigure the ground floor sales area as well as making better use of the first and second floors.
This is taking time and we are continuing our discussions with the relevant planning and regulation departments to establish the best way forward. This could include relocating the office to the first floor and creating a stand-alone flat on the second floor.
We do already have planning permission to reconfigure the ground floor, but it makes sense to do our very best to reduce the inevitable disruption and undertake the full works at the same time, if at all possible. Clive Hooper and John Harries are working together on this project.
STAFF AND VOLUNTEER NEWS
As announced above, we have welcomed the arrival of Paul Dalglish as our new Assistant Manager. Paul works 4 days a week with us and is currently concentrating on integrating the old and new EPOS systems.
Paul has an interesting background having initially been employed by HMRC as a tax inspector and more recently in a completely different role as co-owner of a retail delicatessen in Sussex.
Meanwhile Vic has reduced her hours and is splitting her time between working with Paul on the EPOS integration, working with our volunteers and helping out with Havards’ front of house. We’d like to thank Vic for all her hard work and dedication to Havards!
And thank you too to our ‘hard core’ volunteers – you are an important and integral part of the ethos of Siop Havards.
SIOP HAVARDS ADMIN
Share Certificate
There are still a number of unclaimed certificates at Siop Havards. If you haven't picked up yours yet, next time you're visiting do please ask a member of staff to retrieve yours from the office. We will also bring along those certificates that remain to the AGM in August.
PRODUCT NEWS
In each Newsletter we try to provide you with an idea of the spread of products that Siop Havards stocks – many obviously are stocked all year round but there are some seasonal highlights that are worth telling you about that might be of immediate interest to you and your families and friends.
Garden Firepit
Perfect now and into the summer for evenings in the garden (weather permitting) – these steel ‘firepits’ are available now from Havards for £36.00.
Bedding Plants
As supplied to us by Penrallt Garden Centre, these are priced from £3.95.
We've also just taken delivery of:
All potted up and ready for planting – and just £1.99 each
Stainless Steel 'Judge' Cookware
These have an impressive performance thanks to the 'hot forged' base. They also have an innovative double sided draining lid which also allows for adjustable steam release.
These cost from £28.95
Galvanised Range of Domestic and Garden Ware
This range includes galvanised 'pales' or buckets, mop buckets, watering cans and small to medium sized garden incinerators.
These range in price from £9.99 for the 12 litre bucket to £29.99 for the large garden incinerator.
Beachwear
For the hardy swimmers amongst you and your families, Havards is stocking a range of towelling beach robes in a range of colours. These cost just £14.99
TWF ‘Turbo’ Wet Suits
Havards has a wide range of kids short and full length wetsuits in stock – these are priced from £24.00 to £27.00. Adult sizes prices range from £37.00 to £45.00.
Wellie Tidy for Kids and Adults
Harassed by piles of wet and dirty wellies after another trip to the woods or the beach?
These just might be the answer: they can be used for adult and kids wellies and can be left outside without rain, spiders or mice gaining access! These cost just £10.00 each.
Repair Services – provided by John Harries
Knife sharpening, IT repairs, shoe mending, repairing sewing machines – a cornucopia of services that John Harries can help you with, all using local experts in Cardigan and Fishguard. In addition, John has identified a repairer in Haverfordwest who offers blade sharpening for smaller sized petrol, electric and manual lawnmowers. The same repairer can also provide mechanical repairs for petrol and manual mowers.
If you require any of these services, please call John Harries on 07804 487642 to discuss and make arrangements. Please note we can’t yet offer to re-sharpen saws.A small contribution is requested for transport - the repairs and everything else are charged at cost.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Havards has been involved in a number of local, community based initiatives, including:
Newport Wholefood Shop: we are providing advice and assistance, taking part in speaking slots at public meetings and sharing our experiences directly with the bid team. The latter includes Jessica Seaton whom you will know well from her part in the successful bid to purchase Havards for the benefit of the community.
The Bethlehem Chapel (Grade II listed) in Upper West Street: again we’ve provided help and advice to the committee of community members seeking the best future for the Chapel.
One up-coming event to put in your diary is the Nevern Duck Race – this will be held on 25th May. Funds are being raised in aid of the Nevern Village Hall.
The meeting point is the Trewern Arms car park. Tickets are available in advance from www.nevernvillagehall.Cymru/events or on the day itself at the riverside near the Trewern Arms.
And Lastly…………
Diolch/Thank you for your continued interest and generosity; it is very much appreciated. We hope you have a fabulous May bank holiday and half term break with your families, and look forward to seeing you in Havards.
And don’t forget that you can still be part of the Siop Havards project by buying shares either for yourself or a child – an opportunity to make them feel even more part of the community by becoming a member of the Havards Community Shop. More information can be found by using this link: https://siophavards.cymru/invest.htm
The Siop Havards Team
P.S. Jane’s Interesting Factoid
Our very own Jane Thomas is compiling a store of interesting factoids for you. She tell us that it’s a fact that most DIY accidents occur in the Summer AND that the average UK home has 9 DIY jobs that need to be done.
So TAKE CARE everyone!