My name is Dan Cock and I am proud to say that I am Cornish man so I am delighted to have a business that has allowed me to stay in the county where I was born. My retail career started just over 6 years ago when the village shop in Whitstone came on the market. When I say it came on the market I need to add that it was pretty much about to close as it was not doing to well under the previous management. I made an offer, negotiated a new lease and became the owner.

I had zero retail experience before taking on the shop having had been trained in electrical engineering and computer control. Prior to taking on my shop I had been a refrigeration and air conditioning engineer. This may not sound like a good foundation for a life as a retailer, but it is a customer focused business that requires a significant focus on the detail just like retail.

On the day that I took over the shop I was handed the keys at 6 pm, it was dirty and had no stock. I had a small team ready to help me clean the store from top to bottom and by Monday morning it was stocked with a limited range and ready to open. Rebuilding the shop’s tarnished reputation was of key importance and me and my team have achieved this as we see a great many of the villagers regularly coming into the shop.

Since then with an annual program of investment Whitstone Village Stores  has developed into a modern shop. This has been done with the support and guidance of my chosen supplier, Booker. They have been of great help and over the past 6 years this relationship has developed. The store trades under the Premier facsia and I am a member of the Premier Development Group.

Taking over a run down shop has enabled me stamp my style on it and the results have been very satisfying. The store is continuing  to build sales at an above inflation rate as it has done in each of the past 6 years. My focus this year is on energy saving, extending my Post Office opening times to match the shop, refreshing the store offer and a focus on costs.