Michael Fitzpatrick: The shop owner who set up crowdfunding appeal to keep up with the retail giants

'We aim to purchase a delivery van to offer an alternative to the big supermarket chains who send several vans to the area every day'

Every little helps?

So says a certain supermarket chain – and the enterprising owner of a village shop in the Outer Hebrides has taken that idea and run with it. Michael Fitzpatrick has set up a crowd funding appeal to raise money to buy a van and offer his own delivery service in a bid to keep up with the competition.

Where’s the store?

The Shawbost Shop, on the Isle of Lewis, serves a community of about 500 people. Mr Fitzpatrick, 46, started up the shop seven months ago and currently employs one full-time worker.

And he wants to go into competition with the retail giants?

That’s the goal. “We aim to purchase a delivery van to offer an alternative to the big supermarket chains who send several vans to the area every day,” stated Mr Fitzpatrick on the Crowdfunder page, entitled “Shawbost Village Shop – Taking on the Big Boys!”

Is he on the road to success?

The donations have come pouring in. Mr Fitzpatrick aimed to raise £5,000 and promised to stump up the remaining £5,000 himself, but his campaign has proved so popular that the funding target has been exceeded, with £6,570 pledged by backers as of 14 October.

What was his sales pitch?

Lewis is “a small rural community with a big heart”, Mr Fitzpatrick said. “The shop has become a vital community link but having started with no grants and no funding or financial assistance of any sort, we want to take it to the next level. We are building the business bit by bit.” he continued.

Any extra incentives?

“We will not seek to compete with any independent, established businesses,” Mr Fitzpatrick promised. “We are a friendly and flexible business, there will be a very low minimum purchase and, get this, if you phone because you have run out of something, nine times out of 10 we will be able to take it to you.”