Community owned shop and café celebrated in national charity campaign

THE story of a rural community owned café and shop in Ceredigion which ensured vital supplies of food and other essential items reached people in need during the lockdowns of 2020 is being celebrated in a campaign by a national charity.

Cletwr shop and café in Tre’r-ddol received urgent calls and emails from families worried about elderly relatives who were shielding. Volunteers and staff at the shop ensured deliveries could be made to people across the remote rural area and also hosted events to keep the community connected.

Over many years the village lost its shop, post office, café, petrol station, school and church. The community owned business opened to meet local need in 2013 and the essential role it plays was further confirmed throughout the extraordinary events of 2020.

Now the inspiring story of Cletwr and its team of volunteers working to meet local need and provide essential social connections at a time of crisis is forming part of a national campaign to promote rural community businesses led by the Plunkett Foundation. 

Karen Evans, manager of Cletwr, has been recorded telling the story, which will be one of five Lockdown Stories being shared by the charity in promotion of its Vision for a Covid-19 Rural Recovery. The businesses are all community owned and have each been innovative and committed to supporting their local community during the 2020 pandemic. 

Karen said: “People have now realised how important Cletwr is, how important shopping local is, and I think they see a bigger picture of how that supports everyone in the community. It is definitely bringing the community together.”

Cletwr’s Lockdown Story is sponsored by The Retail Mutual which is a UK provider of business, home and landlord cover for independent retailers and service providers.

Plunkett helps rural communities tackle challenges such as social isolation, employment and poverty by supporting enterprises – including shops, pubs, bakeries, farms and woodlands – that are owned and run democratically by members of the community. 

The Lockdown Stories were premiered at Plunkett’s virtual Community Business Fete on 24 November together with its Rural Vision Film, which are aimed at bringing the charity’s Vision for a Covid-19 Rural Recovery to life.

James Alcock, Plunkett’s chief executive, said: “The story of Cletwr is a truly inspiring one, and I am delighted that we are sharing it as part of our virtual Community Business Fete. This has been a year of touch challenges, but also one of great community spirit – and nowhere is that more evident than in the village of Tre’r-ddol.”

Kirsty Hampton, The Retail Mutual’s Mutual Manager, said: “Cletwr is a great example of the power of community, and is exactly why we are so proud to be members of Plunkett and to support the community business sector. The way they have pulled together in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic is hugely inspiring”.