Streetlife

I agree,What I would like to see is the old style country shop selling local produce at reasonable prices but also selling work clothes,wellies,a small range of home maintenance and household wares,i.e. "Seagers" plus food.While we are talking about the hill,wouldn't it make sense for Suffolk Coastal to scrap charges for the hill car park,the only bays used now are the freebies and the roadside places.It must be costing more to have a guy come round to check for tickets than they are receiving in fees.
As for shopping in Woodbridge,the last time I did was 18 months ago.Anything I can't get in Wickham I get in Framlingham.Most parking is free.

Sounds like a proper country store! Do they exist anymore? As for the reasonable prices I have noticed that fruit and vegetables in supermarkets are more expensive than farm shops, their meat is more expensive than butchers....... and eggs in supermarkets are now a crazy price.

As for the parking charges, only the public sector would think that if you charge for something when a competitor doesn't you can make money! How much money have they lost in rates from the loss of Seagers? Is it less than the amount they get from parking?

Let them argue that they get more from the Co-Op and in 2 year let's see if they have any rateable income from the newsagent, the butcher, the flower shop, the chemist, or anyone else left on the Hill!

The Wickham Market Parish Council is discussing car park chrges (including possibility of removal) at their next meeting this coming Monday (19th). If you click on www.wickhammarket.onesuffolk.net then on Parish Council, then click on Agenda and scroll down to Item 8 you wil see the agenda item about Car Parks.
I have been worried for sometime about the possible decline of activity on The Hill although some traders report no loss of trade whilst others do.

Oops
Finger trouble- apologies
Pete

Thanks for the info Pete.I,too,have heard from two traders on the hill that their taking are down,the results when the bad weather gets here will show if it is going to be long term when people want to one stop shop instead of going round two or three.Thank goodness the co-op is not big enough to have a pharmacy and a full butchers counter.Another thing I am amazed at the shelf space allocated to alcohol.

We're looking to attach a small farm shop to our café at Valley Farm in the new year.  We've loads of free parking and space.  Do you think it's too far out of the village for people to use it?

Having been involved with setting up and running a farm shop when I worked for Rendlesham Estates at Eyke I think you need to research possible footfall very carefully before committing yourselves.I would say to my mind you are rather far out for the majority of the village unless they are visiting your farm.It is not just custom but also restrictions on what you are allowed to sell without special permits and licences.We were lucky as we produced most friut and veg. on the estate but had to get permits to buy in to sell.If you decide to go ahead I wish you luck.

Thanks Bruce, it's really helful to have info from those who have been there.

Looking at other "Farm Shops" in the area, three things stand out which seems to make them successful
1. Good quality, fresh produce
2. Advertising - including good signs on main roads
3. Word of mouth

Best of luck

Thanks Pete.  Points noted!

We could do with somewhere that sells decent fresh fruit and veg. I find my fruit goes bad before the sell by date from our local big supermarket. I have had 2 letters published in the EADT about parking charges in Wickham Market. The charges have had a huge detrimental impact on village life and I'm sure they don't produce a worthwhile income. Thanks for the info about the council meeting.

The reason your fruit and veg go bad is the way they are handled in store.The grower has had to handle them carefully to prevent bruising or remove any diseased stock ,likewise the graders and packers but how often have you seen someone instore tipping a box of apples or pears into a display tray or throwing packed spuds onto the shelf.The bruises only show when you peel them as grey lumps below the surface.The growers association are gratefull if you tell them as it is they who get the bad reputations and not the retailers.