Charlbury Deli
| Rod Evans |
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3
Mon 8 Dec, 13:18 (last edited on Mon 8 Dec, 17:43) Thank you Martin for such a helpful and constructive move. You and John have actually beaten me to it! The headline news is that we held a shareholders’ meeting last Thursday where it was decided that we should move towards conversion of the present limited company to a Community Benefit Society (CBS) – and to hold a public meeting to discuss the future of the operation (including its name!) – early in the New Year. How about 'The Corner House Cafe & Pantry'? Or?? I would be the first to acknowledge that before the move into the Corner House, the business lacked a clear focus as well as failing to attract greater participation. The former is a managerial issue. The latter stems largely from its constitution which is why we want to change it. A CBS is a not-for-profit business model with membership rather than conventional shareholders and is organised on a one-member, one vote basis. That would make far more sense now the business is housed in a community building. You can find more information here: https://plunkett.co.uk Plunkett is a locally based organisation with whom I hope we will be working closely. I/we will soon be reporting more fully to those on our mailing list and to shareholders – and will add anything useful here. In the meantime, we do indeed need your support to get us through a difficult period – and the easiest way to do that of course is to buy stuff, be it coffee, cakes or the Christmas goodies we now have on sale – surely something there for everyone! Not forgetting late evening opening on 12th and 19th. And when you next visit, please look at the setting and think of its potential through the spring and summer – and the contribution the business could make to the life of the town and revival of the Corner House at its centre. I would not have put the time and effort I have into the business (and thank you Martin for acknowledging that), with enormous help from staff, advisors and volunteers, if I hadn’t believed in that potential. Directors – yes please! We need to manage the finances and the process to achieve the conversion – and to lead the business. As I’ve said several times, I am not the right person to do that. We have a great advisory team at present but we need more help if the project is to succeed. And then we’ll be not just owned and run by the community but working truly for its benefit. And finally – I promise never to mention trout again. At least, not until I next catch one and not here! |