Community-owned shops have a business success rate of 95%, compared to the 41% average success rate of small businesses, new data from The Association of Convenience Stores’ Rural Shop Report 2018 has revealed.
From a sample of 2,420 independent stores, 59% of community stores run a postal service, which the report highlighted as having the most positive impact on their local areas.
Additionally, 43% of community-run shops have cafés, with 95% selling local produce.
There are 348 community stores in the UK, which generate a combined turnover of £54m, providing services to 1,400 remote and rural communities, and 1,114 paid jobs to local residents. Over the past five years, an average 17 community shops have opened each year.
