Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a few FAQs relating to the project. It's not an exhaustive list and we will keep refreshing them as new questions come in. If you have a question, please take a look here first to see if it can provide you with a suitable answer. You can still get in touch via the Contact Form if your question is not answered here.
Most recent questions are listed at the top and the date they were logged is in brackets.
Q: What was the outcome of the pledge initiative? (19/07/26)
A: We are very grateful to everyone who supported us in many ways. However, despite our best efforts, the final figure of £80,945 from 85 pledges was not enough for us to continue with our plans to buy Furze stores.
Our plans for a community shop and hub would have been a great benefit for the residents of Morwenstow and its visitors. Improving the environment was also important in our plans, as there would have been fewer car journeys, a refill service and a repair cafe.
We are confident that had we been able to purchase Furze stores the business would have been successful. This confidence is underpinned by reviews from three independent businesses including Plunkett UK & Resonance.
We believe that Morwenstow needs a local shop and that a hub and café would provide access to many services not available or easily accessed here, thereby providing a better quality of life for us all. We remain committed to our aims and engaging with local organisations to that end. Other opportunities may arise so we will continue as a group, retaining our research and plans. Suggestions as to how our goals could be achieved, are welcome.
Q: How do you plan to mitigate the risk of having little retail/financial expertise on the steering committee? (15/05/26)
A: As a group we readily admit that we are not hugely experienced in the commercial retail field specifically. We would be delighted to have a well-versed financial professional join the committee and are actively seeking to recruit such an individual. In the meantime, we have been taking advice from a number of sources (including Plunkett who have supported well over 800 community businesses). We also have had input from a local resident who was formerly a Buying Director and Executive Committee member of a major retail chain, and Consultant to a number of UK and overseas businesses. Additionally, we have worked with a number of other community shops in the area.
Any decision whether to invest in a community share offer is a crucial decision for the individual concerned which is why, before launching that offer, we will be obtaining the Community Shares Standard Mark which involves a robust independent assessment by a Licensed Community Shares Practitioner.
Q: Why have you extended the Pledge window to 23rd May? (14/05/26)
A: We have been very encouraged by the pledges received so far and wanted to maximise the amount of time people would have to pledge.
Q: Why is the Pledge window closing on the 16th May? (10/05/26)
A: We wanted to keep it at the forefront of everyone’s mind so we set a short timeframe. We will extend it if necessary and will let everyone know that via our Facebook sites.
Q: Is the Pledge binding, i.e. will you be able to force me to stick to it? (10/05/26)
A: Absolutely not. A community share pledge is just an indication of what we might be able to raise through the purchase of shares. You are perfectly within your rights to change your mind at any time between the pledge and the purchase of shares.
Q: Why is the Business Plan not the final version? (10/05/26)
A: Pulling together the Business Plan has taken a lot of time but still needs more work to ensure that we can gain the nationally recognised Standard Mark for both the Business Plan and the eventual Share Offer. The Standard Mark is your guarantee that both documents have been independently reviewed and that they meet the appropriate level.
Q: Who will benefit from this venture? (10/05/26)
A: The community of Morwenstow will benefit directly from having a community shop secured for the future, and run for the benefit of all of us. Any surpluses, after investment in the business will be used to benefit the community in accordance with the Society’s rules. Members may also be able to be paid interest out of trading revenues should those revenues be sufficient, and it may be possible to offer share interest or capital withdrawals from either accumulated reserves or new capital. This may only happen after the first 3 years of trading and at the discretion of the Management Committee.
Q: When will the Share Offer be launched? (10/05/26)
A: If we can establish that we have enough support to continue, we will work with Plunkett to get the documentation ready. We anticipate that this will take us a bit of time to complete so won’t be immediately after the pledge window has closed.
Q: What are the long-term plans for Morwenstow Shop & Café? (10/05/26)
A: The campaign to set up a community hub (shop & café) only started in late 2025. A lot of support has been gained for the project and we all look forward to the shop & café opening and thriving. Once a sound financial footing has been gained, it is the ambition of Morwenstow Community Shop Limited to be able to put money into community projects as well as secure the future for Morwenstow Shop & Café.