THE People’s Supermarket, which has around 600 members, could close because of cash problems.

The Cowley Road co-operative needs to raise £20,000 by October to stay open after a decrease in footfall and sales meant it had to raise extra funds to keep going.

It launched a fundraising campaign last month but has only raised just over £1,300 so far.

Hannah Hoechner, 28, who is a member of the supermarket’s fundraising group, said: “Our honorary general manager, Anton Saverimutts, is considering stepping down next week and there’s a possibility that some redundancies for paid staff will have to be made.”

The online crowdfunding campaign was launched two weeks ago offering donors the chance to win a number of vouchers and prizes.

It aimed to address what members say is a 30 per cent drop in sales owing to several factors including the fire at the nearby Cycle King in March. They say work on the building and the closure of part of a pavement meant a drop in people going into the supermarket.

But Keith Gosling, 56, manager of the temporary Cycle King shop in Cowley Road, said: “There’s no reason why our shop catching fire would have that effect on the supermarket.”

Access past the old Cycle King shop, which is currently boarded up, has been available for the last few months.

Board member Nena Parkes said the summer break had also led to between a 50 per cent and 70 per cent decrease in footfall and daily takings have gone from approximately £1,200 before the summer break, to between £400 and £600.

It is feared the campaign may not raise the funds needed in time, but members are hoping more people will come forward after hearing of the supermarket’s plight.

Miss Hoechner added: “I find it really sad that we might have to close, but I think people will invest their energy and time so I think it will survive.

She added: “If we do close, we will give any money donated back to the people who have helped.”

An emergency meeting was held for members on Friday to assess the financial situation – just a few weeks after celebrating its first birthday – but only 50 people turned up.

The shop has 14 paid staff including 12 on zero hours contracts who may face redundancy after a crucial decision-making meeting on Friday at the Old Music Hall in Cowley Road.

Regular shopper Helen Hewlett, 47, from Marston, said it would be a shame to see the shop close.

She said: “It would be a real loss to the Cowley Road.”

A new business plan is to be drawn up over the next few weeks to look at which products sell best in the shop and how to appeal for more public support.

 

A not-for-profit business

  • THE shop was founded in July 2012.

  • It costs £12 per year to be a member of the co-operative, which allows people to have their say in its development.

  • Members can get a 10 per cent discount on food if they volunteer for a four hour shift every four weeks.

  • If raised, the £20,000 will go towards easing cash flow, developing a wider product range, installing a new fridge and ventilation system, redesigning the shop and offering a delivery service for those unable to access the shop easily.

  • Donations to the crowdfunding campaign can either be made in store or online at buzzbnk.org/tpsoxford.