A COMMUNITY shop set up and run by volunteers has received a windfall payment from a local fuel company. Gaydon Village Store, in Church Road, was presented with a cheque for £177 by Paul Doherty, director of Rix Petroleum (Midlands) Ltd, earlier this month.
The money was raised through the company’s village oil club which was set up two years ago to help members benefit from lower fuel prices made possible by ordering as a community.
It enables Rix to streamline deliveries to Gaydon and in turn the company donates a percentage of its profits back into community projects.
Sue Roberts, chair of Gaydon Village shop management committee, said the money would come in handy for maintenance work on the building and some local advertising.
She said: “The shop covers its overheads and makes a small profit, which we reinvest, so the money from Rix allows us to pay for those essential extras. For instance, the door and window could do with a lick of paint and we are always looking at ways of attracting more customers, so it helps in ways like that.
“It is a marvellous system because the oil club helps make fuel more affordable for people and the money we get back from it helps the wider community. It’s win-win for all really.”
Gaydon Village Shop was opened in 2010 by volunteers after the village had been without a store for around 25 years.
Around 20 local people are involved with running the business which is based in an old storage barn in the car park of the Malt Shovel pub.
Last year Coleshill-based Rix Petroleum (Midlands) Ltd donated £190 to Gaydon Village Shop through the oil club.
Mr Doherty said as a local firm he was delighted to be contributing to the project for a second year running.
He said: “By delivering to the members all on the same day we reduce our carbon footprint and traffic movements within the village. The members get heating oil at the lowest available price and a donation towards community projects.
“Gaydon Village Shop has established itself as an invaluable part of the village over the past two years, on which many residents rely. Last year the management committee made excellent use of the money we raised so I’m really pleased to be able to donate to them again.”
