'˜Best Christmas present' for Bognor community support shop Grandad's Front Room

Grandad's Front Room in Bognor Regis has officially been given Community Interest Company status.
Some of the 'Granddaders' outside Grandad's Front RoomSome of the 'Granddaders' outside Grandad's Front Room
Some of the 'Granddaders' outside Grandad's Front Room

It means the popular community support shop in West Street, which raises money and awareness for local charities and groups, can now apply for external grants and funding, a huge boost for the volunteers there.

“I’m so proud, this is the best Christmas present I could hope for,” said founder Danny Dawes, aka Grandad.

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“We’ve been trying to become a CIC since opening 16 months ago and since then we’ve been living hand-to-mouth.

Founder Danny Dawes, aka Grandad, and his wife have had to sell two cars to keep the shop goingFounder Danny Dawes, aka Grandad, and his wife have had to sell two cars to keep the shop going
Founder Danny Dawes, aka Grandad, and his wife have had to sell two cars to keep the shop going

“Me and (wife) Reni have had to sell our car twice, every penny that’s come into the shop has been used to run the van, on stock or given away.

“Somehow we’ve managed to beg and borrow everything, it’s been a struggle and it’s down to the community, the ‘granddaders’ that we’re still here.

“Now that we’re a CIC we can apply for outside funding, and we’ve named Jason Passingham and Greg Burt as our two directors.”

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As well as the shop selling all manner of things, the granddaders have also organised a number of events to bring the community together.

The next one will be Grandad’s Community Wrap on Thursday, December 8 at the Laburnum Centre in Lyon Street, 7-9.30pm.

Danny is promising ‘mince pies, mulled wine and cheesy music’ as they look to wrap as many as 500 presents, which three ‘community ambassadors’ will hand out to people in need in the community.

“Our aim is to empower and enable local groups so they can fund themselves.

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“The council has limited money and this way it can use its fund for the benefit of the whole town,” Danny added.

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