Report on Frampton shop survey

98% of you think that it is important to have a convenience store in Frampton.

There were 330 responses, with a representative spread of residents across the area.
Of these, 98% said that they thought that it is important to have a convenience store
in Frampton and 94% said that they thought it was important to have a post office.
100% of the respondents over 60 think it is important to have a local shop. We would
like to thank all those who took the time to answer the on-line survey and to help
those who did not have their own computer to answer it. In particular, we would like
to thank the church befrienders, who took the survey out to local residents who might
be omitted through age or infirmity and also to Ron Smale and the helpers at the
luncheon club, who questioned luncheon club members verbally.
All age groups
were represented, although the under 16s were strongly under represented.
Compared to the 2011 census, the over 75s and over 90s were under represented in
comparison to the 25 74 age groups but their responses were broadly similar. Where
there were small differences these are noted. There was a large difference in gender
response, with 27% of the respondents being male and 73% female. However, this
came closer to parity in the over 75s, where there were 7 male respondents and 10
female.
94% of respondents shop in a mixture of supermarkets, the internet and convenience
stores but 4% of the sample shop mainly in Frampton Stores (12% of over 75s).
These buy a larger range of goods in the shop, such as grocery products, frozen
goods, cleaning products etc, though most respondents buy some of these. Of those
who use a mixture, 39% use convenience stores more than once per week and 40%
once per week. The main products bought at convenience stores locally were
newspapers, lottery cards and cigarettes, bakery products, dairy products, sweets and
ice creams and gift wraps ,cards etc. Grocery products and fresh vegetables are
bought by 37%. The balance between categories of items bought in local stores
other than Frampton is broadly similar, with a slightly higher proportion of alcohol
bought elsewhere and a higher proportion of cards and gift wrap bought in Frampton.
When asked why they shopped in other local convenience stores, 31% cited choice
and 23% cheaper goods but 29% listed other reasons. Of these, a significant one was
opening times, mentioning Frampton Stores' reduced opening hours compared to the
past. Purchasing specialist goods was only mentioned by 5%.
Asked what other items shoppers would like to see on sale locally, local artisan
breads and fresh local vegetables were the two items that scored more than 4 on an
scale of 1-5, where 5 was definitely interested in availability, 4 probably interested
etc. In the case of fresh local vegetables, 52% chose 'definitely' and a further 24%
'probably', ie 248 people in contrast to the 122 who said they were buying vegetables
at local convenience stores at present. Local cheeses, fresh locally sourced meat and
delicatessen items also drew good scores (3.86, 3.8 and 3.85). A large range of other
possible items were mentioned in the 'any other item' section. There was a plea for
shelf or table space for local crafts, possibly on a rotating basis and a plea for children
to be able to reserve their magazines. One or two people specifically requested Hobbs
House bread and there were a few requests for specialist dietary items such as
vegetarian or gluten free. The full list will be give to Watermarked Ltd.
On services, having a Post office scored 4.79. Other items scoring more than 4 were
parcel collection and delivery, a free cash point, preferably accessible at all hours, and
the presence of village notices. The over 60s' responses were consistent with total
responses. Over 75s placed more emphasis on having a Post Office, giving it a score
of 5, shop in Frampton more frequently, purchase less sweets, drinks and fresh meat
but more bakery and frozen products. They also use other local stores less.
However, when asked what other items they would like to see available, local artisan

bread and local fresh vegetables were again the two categories that scored more than
4. On services, over 75s scored a straight 5 on Post Office services and 4 for a cash
point/ ATM and availability of village notices. The 5 under 16s all buy sweets or icecreams, with a few purchases from dairy, bakery, fruit and gift cards. On additional
items, nothing scored an average of 4 or over. However, on services, the Post Office
scored a straight 5, with parcel delivery, cash point and village notices all scoring over
4.
Only 27% of the responses were from men. Their purchases concentrated on
newspapers, cigarettes and lottery cards, dairy and bakery goods, alcohol, sweets and
gift cards and wraps. Men were more likely to buy alcoholic drinks (38% of male
shoppers compared to 26% of female shoppers) . A slightly larger proportion of men
than women mainly shop in Frampton. None of their scores for additional items were
4 or above, though local fresh vegetables, fresh meat, local artisan bread and cheese
and delicatessen items all scored above 3.5. Postal services, a cashpoint and local
notices were all services scored at 4 or over by men. A surprisingly large percentage
of total respondents said that they would be prepared to commit 12.50 per week to a
local shop (67% or 211 people) and this percentage did not differ greatly between
men and women.
There were a large number of comments at various points in the survey. A number of
respondents stated that they wished any new Post Office to be a community Post
office and that it should continue to provide car tax renewal. Local employers
commented that the shop is a business resource as well as domestic and that local
businesses rely on the Post Office for their enterprises. In return, they provide
revenue through the purchase of lunches. There were several requests that the shop
provides some shelf or other vending space for local craft sales, possibly on a
rotational basis. There were also requests that there were some tables and chairs
outside the shop, so that shoppers could eat ice-creams, drink coffee etc. Price and
service featured in many comments. There was an understanding that a convenience
store could not charge prices as low as supermarkets but it was felt that a new store
should price its goods competitively compared to other local convenience stores.
There was also a view that a new Frampton shop should not be a 'pale imitation of a
supermarket' but instead carve out an individual and local identity. On service, many
respondents said management of the new shop should aim for helpful, cheerful and
friendly service to customers of all ages.
We would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Honer for keeping the old shop open whilst plans
are set in place for the new one. We would also like to thank all those who wrote
words of thanks and encouragement to the shop group in their responses and in
responses to the web-site. We hope that the new shop meets your hopes and needs.
Joy Greenwood for Frampton Shop Volunteer Group.