Allotment Office & Shop

[annemariehewlett]

Hi everyone

We have a container on site which we are thinking of partitioning half for tools and the other half for an office. Any suggestions on what would go in an allotment office? I came up with a list on site.

- Desk
- Bookcases
- Info posters on veg, fruit, etc.
- Leaflets

Also, does anyone know where we can either download or send off for posters, leaflets, etc.?

And one more thing before I forget, any suggestions at all on an allotment shop? How to run it, where to get catalogs, etc.

Thank you very much!
Anne-Marie.

[annemariehewlett]

[goodlife]

We have found out that having 'a office' doesn't work for us. Our shop shed doesn't have heating so any 'paper work' and such a stuff just gets damp and there is always that added uncertainty that somebody would break in.
We only keep some writing paper, few pens and spare price lists around.

About shop supplies...you would need to search under 'horticultural wholesales'. There is companies around country but if you let where about country you are based..we could let you know more of companies nearby your area.
LBS Horticultural suppliers do deal nationwide but they are not necessary the cheapest.. you can purchase online at.. www.lbshorticulture.co.uk ...if nothing else..you can always get ideas from there what you might need in you shop...

Our shop is run by secretary, myself (treasurer) and other member...we add small % to items prices and this profit goes into society's bank account to pay running cost of the allotments. To get the prices cheap enough for the members we try to by everything in larger quanties...filling storage space up..as more you buy, cheaper the price usually is. We have 'official' shopping day once a week and other times if and when one of us is about and able to serve. The storage space is the major point...if you don't have enough room for bulk buying 'stuff', you might find difficult to attract customers as you are not able to offer goods in reasonable prices.

[annemariehewlett]

Thanks goodlife, for the info.

We are on the Wirral, North West UK. I suppose it wouldn't really be an office as most 'paper work' is kept with the secretary so it would mostly be an info hub more than anything but I can see the concern for damp and the possibility of a break in. That would have to be looked into as to what kind of security would be provided as the office would also be the shop.

[manicscousers]

Hi, annemariehewlett, welcome to the madhouse.
We have a storage shed to sell to members. We have canes, compost, feed, various, netting, ground cover, labels, seed trays and fold down composters. we, too, add a small % on and uy stuff wholesale, from a firm. The bloke who runs it, Jonathan Maher, is very good. He supplies all the area. If you would like, you could email for a catalogue and prices, mention golborne allotments
john-maher@tconnect,com
I know several other allotments in this area buy from him 

[annemariehewlett]

Thank you very much! I'll give him an email today!

[Jayb]

Hi Annemariehewlett,
Just wanted to say Hi and welcome to A4A, hope you will like it here 

[annemariehewlett]

Thanks Jayb! I've been on the site a few times looking for advice and finally I decided to join and ask for some help, haha. It's so much easier than looking!

[Digeroo]

Welcome Annemarie

What about a kettle and some tea/coffee.   

Are you sure that storing tools in container is a good idea they might disappear?

[Ian Pearson]

It's nice to have an airtight container with a basic first aid and 'allotment specific' welfare kit — tweezers for removing splinters, large safety pins for repairing burst trousers, insect sting ointment, emergency toilet paper, mirror for getting bits out of eyes ...    This does require managing though, and all the plasters will probably disappear within a couple of weeks.

[annemariehewlett]

Concerning the container, it will be locked and keys given to plot members. Tools will include spades, forks, etc. I thought that having a log book might help but I'm not sure.

As for a kettle, we would need electric which we don't have on site and we don't have a water mains yet either. There's a bit of a debate over having gas in a container so we're still looking into that.

Also, concerning first aid, we are looking into that as well since we're going to have bees. The only problem is, the person who has the first aid training can't be on site all the time which is what you want really.

[Ian Pearson]

Re first aid training; it's not a place of employment, so it is not required that first aid trained personnel (appointed person, or whatever it is called now) be present. It's just a sensible precaution to have some basics available for self administration to minor injuries.

[annemariehewlett]

Ah, some people thought someone with first aid training would have to be there constantly since there's normally someone on site for a bit.