NOTE: This site is updated regularly to keep you posted.
Siop Gymunedol / HAVARDS / Community Shop
East Street, Trefdraeth, Sir Benfro. SA42 0SY. 01239 820300
OPEN: Monday-Saturday 10am to 3pm (winter schedule)
CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR OPENING HOURS: Click here.
Macmillan Coffee Day - 30th September
4th January 2025: The A487 Road Closure starts next week, and runs until March. Siop Havards will be open throughout this period – albeit with slightly reduced hours. We are also offering a 'click & collect' style service. You can phone the shop on 01239-820-300 or email us at orders@havards.wales We are planning to have collection points either side of town in case traffic is snarled up, and you can't get close in a car.
16th December: Our Christmas newsletter is published!
This covered plans to cope with the A487 road closure, the latest financial statement, and a report from the Extraordinary General Meeting. Also some great gift and product suggestions for Christmas and New Year
Read this news letter by clicking here. Or read it in welsh.
5th October - the Macmillan Coffee day raised £150! Thanks to all!
Havards held a MACMILLAN CAKES AND COFFEE day on Monday, 30th September 2024. We repeated last year's event - thanks to all who came and those who supplied cakes.
30th August: Good news from the Bethlehem Chapel project, from Cris Tomas: "..there is another Community Benefit Society on the way for Newport! Thank you to all who have supported the campaign to raise funds for our community group to attend the public auction this evening at Llwyngwair Manor to bid for the Bethlehem Chapel building in Newport. ...we secured the highest bid for the building at £145,000. Thank you once again to everyone who has been so supportive in ensuring the funds were raised within 14 days. Onwards now to look at developing the heritage centre for Newport." (Cris is also one of our Advisory Committee). Full details can be seen on the project website or in this press release. We understand more funds are likely to be required to develop the Centre. We pass this information on without being in a position to endorse investments.
16th August: The AGM was held on 15th August, at 7pm, in the Commodore's Lounge at Newport Boat Club. It went well and was well attended. We will be sending out a report and more details in due course to our contacts.
We carry a fantastic stock of hardware, paint and goods to hopefully satisfy all your household needs. Give us a call to check if we can help if you can't get in in person.
Volunteers - we still need help in the shop. Please register here.
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You can view all NEWSLETTERS on the newsletter page.
Note: Older news and links for media coverage have been moved to the News Page. Also see more news and pictures on our Facebook page.
Havards Community Shop has hanging baskets for the summer
First Community Owned Hardware Shop in Britain!
We have been trading since 29th November 2022. We are advised that this is the first ever Community Owned Hardware Shop in Britain.
At about the same time we also heard that we have been successful in our application for the COF fund (see this newsletter). This is excellent news as we will be able to fully implement the plans for growth to support both the community and
a viable trading business
Become a member: You can still become a member of the Community Benefit Society that owns Havards as we are still accepting investments.
About Havards
Havards store is a traditional Ironmongers shop dating back to 1840. It is a vital asset for the Community of Trefdraeth, and the many visitors. But the owner was unable to find someone to take the shop over and it was likely that it would be shut it down if a way was not found to keep it open.
Our chair, Clive, ready to serve you
We have set up a Community Benefit Society to purchase and to run Havards as a Community Shop. The name of this society is Siop Havards Gymunedol Tydrath (SHGT). There is more information on the ABOUT US page.
Our business plan required us to raise approximately £475,000, from share sales, grants and loans. We reached this target in November 2022, and purchased the shop on 26th November..
Thanks to everyone who purchased shares and made investments!
Background
This initiative launched in June 2021 with some excellent support from PLANED with local and national press releases. It was featured on National S4C programme ”HENO”.
The funds raised have allowed us to purchase the Havards Shop for the community. Our next stage is to plan renovations and improvements, to ensure we have a viable buillding and business.
Our team put up a new banner for the Share Launch on 30th May!
There are now many communities across the country ensuring that local shops are kept open through community purchase. We obtained support from the Plunkett Foundation (we are now a member!), Coop Wales and Planed. Please see the following link: https://plunkett.co.uk?case-studies/
Share purchase
This is a summary of the share purchase scheme which was launched on 30th May 2022. The full and definitive version is the share offer document.
- Shares are sold at £1 each.
- Minimum investment £200 (200 shares), maximum investment £33,000 (33,000 shares) or 10% of the total raised whichever is the greater.
- Once you own 200 shares you are a full Member of the Society. You will then have a say in how it runs - each member gets one vote.
- We aim to pay interest on shares dependent on annual profits - you can opt for either 0%, up to 2%, or up to 4% interest. The more interest you are willing to forgo, the more money can be invested back into the community.
- We also welcome gifts.
- We obtained approval from HMRC to offer eligible investors Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR). This allows UK Tax Payers to claim 30% tax relief on their shareholding. However, a limit was imposed and that limit was quickly reached. More information is here.
Why support us?
It's a good investment! Community Shares are an excellent way to support this community venture, you will have a voting voice and help to keep a vital part of the history of the town and an essential community facility open.
Help the Community
Play your part in our community - the shop will save trips further afield, at a time when we need to reduce unnecessary travel. Shops are at the heart of any small town, servicing needs and helping bring people together.
Why else should I invest in Havards?
Here's where you can not only get a good return, but play your part in sustaining a vital facility. We hope the many visitors to Newport, who return time and again, will also consider investing.