Jack met up with Alan & Tracy Mitchell in the Woodland Store just ahead of the official opening
The story so far
JCS: Alan and Tracy, thanks for your time away from getting the shop ready for opening. So tell me, how did we get where we are?
TM: We live in the village, and have been on the Holiday Park for a few weeks running the ice cream van which has been quite popular! We saw the opportunity to offer additional services to your customers.
AM: Yes, Tracy looked through the window and saw the potential. We asked around – some of the owners missed the shop, so we decided to approach Jack & Rodrica to ask whether we could do something together.
TM: Everyone is so nice and it’s such a nice space – we would be very happy here and we were glad we could strike a deal!
Tracy & Alan
JCS: Tracy, I know you’re a steelmaker! Are you going to run the Woodland Store as well?
TM: Well, it’s my business so I can be more flexible than most people! I will be at work at 06.30 and then back in the afternoon to help Alan in the shop. On the weekends, I’ll be here all the time.
JCS: Alan, have you done something like this before?
AM: I managed a pub in South Wales years ago. And I have worked in retail for many years – like Curry’s…
JCS: Ah, you worked in catering? [Editor’s note: Jack says this was an attempt at a joke!]
TM: Haha – he does make a good curry, and that’s our first special for lunches!
What’s on at the Shop
JCS: So you’re providing hot food, a shop, a café… what’s the plan?
AM: We’re going to open 9am to 5pm at the start as we find our feet. We’ll probably end up opening from 8am. The idea is to do breakfast from 09.00 to 11.30, lunch from 11.30 to 15.00; ice cream from 11.30, and hot drinks all day. We’ll see how we go with the shop, but that will mostly be essentials, but also some games, cuddly toys, camping gear, fishing equipment… come and see! We’re not going to do cigarettes, but we will do newspapers.
JCS: And we’re not going to keep essentials in Reception any more, but we’ll keep some stock in the Bar available in case anyone needs things after the shop has closed. What days are you going to open?
AM: Oh we’ll open seven days a week! We’re going in at the deep end by going straight into the six weeks’ holidays, but it’ll be a great learning experience!
