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Operated by East Boldre Community Stores Limited, a voluntary organisation.
Owned by it members, predominantly local people.
Community Benefit Society, number 8481
East Boldre Community Stores Limited (EBCS)
Incorporated as a Community Benefit Society we are listed on the Financial Conduct Authority's Mutuals Public Register, Society number: 8481
Registered Address: Chapel Stores, Chapel Lane, East Boldre, SO42 7WP
Chapel Stores is owned and run by the society's members for the benefit of our community and every member has one vote on key decisions.
Our Current Management Committee
The day to day management of Chapel Stores falls to its management committee, all of whom are volunteers, elected by members from the society's membership to serve a three year term.
Davina Downes
Elected 2024
Kevin House
Elected 2024
Malvena Stuart Taylor
Duty Manager
Elected 2023
Jack Gabzdyl
Communications
Elected 2024
Alison Moore-Gwyn
Secretary, DPS
Elected 2023
Sarah Thompson
HR
Elected 2024
Mike Hawker
Chair, Duty Manager
Elected 2023
Simon Ricketts
Elected 2023
Annette Hayward
Volunteers
Co-opted
Anna Rostand
Elected 2024
Under our society's rules, the committee can comprise up to 10 people.
Each September any member of our society can stand for election to the committee if there are vacancies.
Our Friendly, Professional Staff
Ian and Val worked together at the former village shop and bring a wealth of expertise and customer knowledge. Sarah, a fast learner, joined the team when we opened and is now our senior staff member.
Sarah
Val
Ian
Our Essential Volunteers
See our volunteering page for details of how to join our happy team and benefit from contributing to this community effort and making new friends.
Gillian, Sandwich making team
Daily baking bread and pastries
Site maintenance
Gillian, Sandwich making team
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Establishing Chapel Stores
In 2017, it became evident that the existing village shop and Post Office would close.
The challenge was finding suitable, affordable premises.
Chapel Stores finally opened on 26th February 2024, thanks to the perseverance of Rebecca Gabzdyl who spearheaded the 6 year project, raising £704,000, managed the repairs and alterations to the decaying chapel to adapt it for its new community role and led the initial supplier and product selection.
Society Membership
By buying shares in our society people become members and we are pleased to have a wide diverse membership of predominantly local people.
In early 2023 we raised £225,000 through a community share offer in 2023 towards the £704,000 of funding we needed to acquire the chapel and create Chapel Stores.
Members can stand for election to the management committee and can vote on key decisions. Regardless of their shareholding every member has one vote.
Shares are withdrawable (from March 2026) at the management committee's discretion but are not transferable.
SITR certificates were issued to qualifying members in September 2024 to those who subscribed in 2023.
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