11/06/2026
This was posted on the Kingsdown Community Hub's FB page earlier this evening:-
First of all, thank you to the 270 people who have taken the trouble to fill in the Kingsdown Hub questionnaire. You represent about a quarter of the population of the village, which is impressive. The survey will stay open until June 16.
You can access the questionnaire online below or pick up a paper copy at Del’s, completed questionnaires can be returned to Del’s or posted in the box in the Wendy House situated in front of the Village Hall.
We will publish the full results in July, but a couple of highlights:
• 90% of you regard the shop and post office as very or extremely important to the village. We heartily agree with you, which is why we started Kingsdown Hub.
• 70% of the people who answered the survey, said that they would be willing to help out by donating time/money, as and when we need it - Fantastic, watch this space.
Apart from the survey, there has been a lot going on.
We have subscribed to a charity called Plunkett for their knowledge and expertise; they specialise in helping places like Kingsdown to take community assets into community ownership. We have already had a couple of meetings with them to draw up a plan.
We have spent some time researching other community initiatives, both locally and nationally to gain an understanding of how these businesses contribute to their communities, not only in terms of services and products provided but also opportunities for volunteering and socialising.
Obviously, our first option is to see if Del can sell the shop and post office to someone to run as a commercial enterprise, as he has for 37 years, to save the shop and post office services. You may have seen that Del has put a for sale sign back in the window. We are encouraging him to engage a specialist estate agency that can help him to value and market the business appropriately.
All along our concern has been what happens if there is no such buyer. To be proactive Plunkett is helping us to set up a Community Benefit Society: which is a special sort of charity, able to raise money to buy and run community assets like a shop and post office.
As part of this process, we need to appoint a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. We are confident that we can provide the first two, but if there is anyone reading this who has a financial background and would be willing to act as Treasurer, we would dearly love to hear from you.
Finally, the possible threat to our beloved shop and post office from Del’s wish to retire one day, has revealed a huge desire to preserve and revitalise the heart of Kingsdown.
We hear that. We are that.
Our vision for the Kingsdown Hub encompasses more than the shop and post office, it includes the Village Hall and other Kingsdown assets and activities and maybe one day, a programme of activities and events that will bring all of us closer together.
We will continue to consult every step of the way.
The QR code can be found on the posters on the picket fence at the hall.
Last chance to have your say is 16th June.
