Author: simon
Shop Under The Clock Offers Free Furniture: Background
Tuesday, 8th April, 2008 at 1:33 pm, Isle of Wight
Cllr Debby Robinson has been on top of the concerns of local residents as to the arrival of the current tenants (yes, they’re paying to rent it) in the Shop Under The Clock.
Being thorough, she’s made a lot of phone calls and visits, including popping along to see them in the shop, to have a chat about what their background was and their plans.
The Shop Under the Clock – help for those in need in our community
In response to a number of questions and concerns voiced by Ventnor residents concerning the shop which has opened on the corner of Pier Street and Church Street, the Blog has given me the opportunity of passing on the facts, as they were told to me.
I first approached the freeholders of the building – Pittis and Co, the estate agents. Although the shop has been empty for over a year and a half, they do intend to open a branch of Pittis there next year.
Mr. Keith Trigg of Pittis, who lives in Ventnor, confirmed that a commercial lease for the shop had been granted and very kindly set up a meeting for me with Karen Jordan, who is currently running the shop, although the business is actually owned by her son, Scott Jordan, who is the sole proprietor.
How the shop works
Karen went to some lengths to tell me that they should not be confused with a charity shop, as they do not have charitable status.
They have decided to call themselves Isle of Wight Community Project, so as not to be confused with Ventnor Community Projects.
Both Mr.Trigg and IOW Trading Standards Officers, who visited Wednesday last week, are satisfied that nothing illegal needs to be addressed - also as far as they’re concerned, having dirty windows and/or a lack of attractive window display are not actionable matters.
Karen told me that they currently offer a free service in taking away any unwanted furniture and household effects. These items are then either sold in the shop or given away to people in need in the community.
Further she explained that proceeds from the shop all go towards expenses such as rent, rates, van and advertising. No salaries are deducted as all the workers are volunteers.
Many Island charities insist of referrals from bodies such as Social Services when disposing of donated furniture etc. but Karen is against this as she feels that many of the needy, especially the elderly, are too proud to take this route. Instead she is more than happy for people in need to be self-referring.
If you feel that you fall into that category and need help furnishing your home free of charge, please pop in and talk to Karen or call her on 867322.
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April 8th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
that’s a good idea
April 8th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
I AM against yet other estate agent
April 8th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
It may be a good cause, but it is an awful eyesore.
I don’t know who owns it, but they must be desperate for some money and not give a damn about the appearance of the main junction in Ventnor if they are happy with the way the shop looks.
Judging by the contents, you could find better stuff at the re-cycling site at Robin Hill
April 8th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
maybe they are desperate for money Geoff,why,arent you? maybe you shouldve come up with a less charitable cause but with sparkly steps and shiny windows and sold pretty things to the wealthy folk of ventnor!!
April 8th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
hi ,its expensive in there , i find its so much cheaper at the car boot sales , but is this the case if you ask for something in there and you are really in need is it then given to you?if so thats great , what proof do they ask for? at brickfields on monday most chairs were £2 to £5 and microwaves and hoovers around £4 clothes50p to £4 , toys anything from 20p to £10 ,haggle , if your unsure if things work plug them in over the road in brickfields ,
April 8th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
While we agree the shop front looks tatty. It is a sad state of affairs that a Town Councillor has to be seen to be getting involved.
Plus Trading Standards wasting their time. Who on earth called them in and on what grounds????
Karen explained clearly what she was doing, the first Saturday the shop was beginning to open, to anyone who asked her. We asked her politely back then, on that Saturday, as did others, and were told exactly then, what was said above today by Cllr Robinson! Seemed an excellent idea and we understood there was lots of tidying up to be done.
It has been astonishing watching this debate develop, and pre judge Karen. Worse a Town Councillor getting involved. Was this with the wish of the Town Council? Has it been discused by the Town Council?
We would have written before but were worried about the extent of groundswell of negative opinion. It seemed as if a judgement had already been made.
Karen comes across as a most agreeable and friendly person.
As said, while we agree the shop looks very unattractive it is very worrying to us that the town council itself appears to be taking a heavy handed approach.
The Town Council has said repeatedly before that it does not take, or have any interest in commercial matters.
There is a Shopkeepers Association. Surely that would have been a better approach?
This Monday the governments new negative tax changes for the very low paid came into being. A significant percentage of Ventnor fall into the low paid gap and would probably welcome any opportunity to pay less for items.
Karen, we wish you luck. While we don’t like the styling or the appearance of your shop. We do appreciate what you do.
Perhaps you could harness the skills and energy of additional volunteers to help you turn the shop into something more attractive?
April 9th, 2008 at 9:45 am
What a ridiculous attack on Debby Robinson. She’s a town councillor and as such cares about the town. She doesn’t need permission from other councillors to investigate something that concern has been raised about.
Who are you to say what she should and shouldn’t spend her time on. If you already knew all that Debby had gone to the trouble of finding out (because of the concerns were raised by many members of the public and business association) then why didn’t you share that knowledge at the beginning?
Your comments Lifesavers reek of sour grapes and are completely unnecessary.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Debby and I have disagreed in the past and will no doubt disagree again in the future, BUT…. at least she speaks her mind in a straightforward and uncompromising manner and I would rather deal with her, even if we disagree, than some of the mealy mouthed toads who say what they think people WANT to hear.
Good on yer Debby.
April 13th, 2008 at 9:37 am
I am a Councillor elsewhere and if someone raises an issue then I am bound to follow it up, so Debbie was acting entirely properly, and all credit to her for that and for throwing some light on the issue - you will see that her report seemed quite fair & in response to Tania - commercial landlords are not known be amongst the poorest people around.
April 13th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
I was pleased to read the response from Mrs Jordan in last weeks Chronicle. I thought the comments made by Linda Le May, in the previous issue, were OUT OF ORDER. To criticize this new shop was, in my opinion, very wrong. Might I suggest Ms Le May take a walk round Ventnor High Street and Pier Street, and have a good look at the outside and inside of some of the other shops and business’s Ventnor currently has to offer. Ventnor is in essence mainly eclectic, bohemian and shabby-chic with a little pitch of contemporary modern. It is this essence that makes Ventnor what it is. This is why it is loved so much, by residents and visitors alike. And Mrs Jordan, the fact that you had to open early due to sheer numbers of customers speaks volumes. I know from my own experience that is it the support of the silent majority that makes ones efforts worthwhile, not the negative comments of a few.
It is a well done from me.
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April 13th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
“I was pleased to read the response from Mrs Jordan in this weeks Chronicle. I thought the comments made by Linda Le May, in the previous issue, were OUT OF ORDER. To criticize this new shop was, in my opinion, very wrong. Might I suggest Ms Le May take a walk round Ventnor High Street and Pier Street, and have a good look at the outside and inside of some of the other shops and business’s Ventnor currently has to offer. Ventnor is in essence mainly eclectic, bohemian and shabby-chic with a little pitch of contemporary modern. It is this essence that makes Ventnor what it is. This is why it is loved so much, by residents and visitors alike. And Mrs Jordan, the fact that you had to open early due to sheer numbers of customers speaks volumes. I know from my own experience that is it the support of the silent majority that makes ones efforts worthwhile, not the negative comments of a few.
It is a well done from me.”
This was posted on the forum 10 YES TEN, days ago!
What IS the matter Alan? Do you think nobody is reading your posts on the forum so you have to put them on here?
BTW, nice copy of Peter Reddings objection to the Picardie.
April 13th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Toomy, having read all the objections to this application, they all mirror each other in some way. Does that mean each objector has in some way produced a ‘nice copy of Peter Reddings objection to the Picardie’. Other people duplicate posts made by themselves on the VB Forum and the Ventnor Blog. I personnally feel this gives tham a wider audience. There are less posts to scroll through on the Ventnor Blog Home Page. If you do not share this opinion, that is your right, but it is of little consequence to me.
April 19th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
missing a ‘to’ geoff!