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Newspaper sales to resume in the Parish   ()

Lesbury News, PO and Shop – Update

Report from sub Group 27th January 2011
Newspapers
A flyer advertising the re-establishment of the news service in the parish was circulated to all households, including the previous ‘out of village’ customers. Thanks to all who helped circulate flyers.
A ‘new’ business will commence on Monday 14 February using the church premises in the short term. Collections and/or counter sales will be available from the church up to 11am each morning although this time may be extended at weekends. We will communicate with all households who have placed orders for delivery or collection about the ‘new’ arrangements – we would appreciate support with delivering this information.
We will put another general flyer around the area to inform all households of the start-up arrangements – again we would appreciate support with circulation of the flyers.
Post Office
We have had a discussion with Post Office Counters have ascertained:
  • Future arrangements for PO provision in Lesbury will be on a different basis to previously which means that the PO will be serviced through a regular retail till and will not require the existing PO unit.
  • It will not be required to operate full PO hours – it may be that the service would be provided over a number of mornings.
  • Further negotiations are on-going with PO Counters
Premises
We have viewed the existing shop premises and entered into negotiations with Northumberland Estates to try to agree the terms of the lease.
Resource Implications
The required deposit has been paid to Smiths News as deposit on the newspapers.
We have agreed to put funding into the venture to meet start-up costs as required for the PO role.
The school have supported us with photocopying for flyers at cost and the Parish Council have agreed some support with these costs.
The church has been very flexible in providing the use of space to start-up the newspaper element. Thank you.
We really value the support offered to us, to date, in circulating information.
We need to keep costs down and would value further support with:
-          Cost of information/flyers
-          Circulation of information/flyers
-          General promotion of the evolving activity and positive messages about the need for community support
-          Volunteer/s to support the car delivery round
If we are successful with the PO application and securing the lease on the premises we will need support to:
-          Make minor changes to the premises – materials/labour
-          Re-decorate the premises – materials/labour
-          Smarten up the external area
Any ideas welcomed – we will bring this to your attention again once we have further information.
 Legal Basis
We have taken advice on legal structures and at some point in the future will take a decision around the most appropriate legal structure for any business. In the short term and in order to move this forward as quickly as possible Carol and Julie have agreed a partnership approach through their respective independent consultancy businesses.
 
Carol, Julie, Roger and Mick (27 January 2011)