The 'Hub' vision

Gorsley is not alone in the current challenges facing rural communities - we all lead busy lives, daily commuting to places of work, more frequently communicating by the phone or social media as opposed to face to face...  Without knowing it our communities and the services it offers suffer and the spaces where communities come together, get to know one another and support one another are lost.  The 'Hub' vision recognises that individually people want and need community and require spaces and services to enable it to happen.

Community shop and PO

The shop and Post Office is a 'community' company/enterprise that is primarily run by volunteers and overseen by a paid part-time manager.  The intention is that the shop covers its costs for it to be sustainable but not to make substantial profits and therefore prices are kept reasonable.  Any profits will be put back into the shop or other community projects.
We recognise that a village shop will not be a place someone does their only weekly shop but offers the items people need daily, in an emergency or what is not offered by a larger supermarket chains.

Coffee shop

The Church has created a fabulous coffee shop right next to the shop, recognising that people living In rural communities often have limited opportunities to meet up and get to know each other. 

The  Orchard Coffee  House  is open Tuesday to Saturday and serves a range of hot and cold drinks, cakes and lunchtime snacks with facilities to eat indoors or outside.

Playground

Completing the Gorsley experience is a wonderful children's play area. 

With swings, climbing frames, a sandpit and a handsome ark, this offers a great place for the children to let off steam and unwind, while their carers enjoy something from the Coffee House and stock up with essentials and treats from the shop. 

Gorsley Baptist Church's other community activities

The church premises are used throughout the week for other activities.  It is hoped that together with the shop this will further enhance community interaction