Hi
I think I read that certain allotments have Traders sheds - a way of swapping or giving away anything from seeds to veg, equip etc there seems so much possible wastage and its such a shame for such stuff to go to waste. I asked the guy I plot with and he sugested I start one but be good to be prepared rather falling for any usual pitfalls! Anyone had any experience itd got to be worth it :)
David
I guess that Traders Sheds arent that popular :-\ LOL
We have got a Traders Shed that is open every Sunday morning. It sells the usual things, compost, fertilisers, weedkillers, canes etc and we have a strimmer and petrol mower and a rotovator people can hire. In the spring the Society bulk order seeds, plants, onion sets and seed potatoes for everyone so there can be a small discount if you order this way.
It is all run by the committee members and volunteers. It is not easy work and it is sometimes difficult to break even sometimes. It is a bit of a thankless task and those working it have a tough job making a go of it. You have to be very dedicated to make it work. Ours is struggling at the moment, and I think there is a possibility it might fold, though I know some Trader Sheds can be successful.Â
The problem you would have to cope with is that places like B&Q and Morrisons and Wilkinsons and many more can sell compost and the like at much cheaper prices and it is impossible to compete with them. Most people have got cars now and it is quite easy for them to collect garden stuff, so the idea of it being convenient is not always a strong arguement.  You could start off gradually I suppose by just collectively ordering onion sets and seed potatoes and see how that goes. Good luck if you take it on. I admire you and I hope people are suitably grateful. :) best wishes, busy_lizzie
Our trading hut does much the same. We did have rotervaters (sp?) and the like but they were nicked. We do a working party every 2nd sat in the month to strim the paths and clear old plots. Works OK I think.
We have one which sells basic stuff. I used to help with it till the previous management accused me of helping myself to the petty cash. then they changed the opening time to Sunday morning only, knowing that I can never get there then.
Hi Thanks Lizzie and everyone else who replied. I was thinking more of a sawpshop type thing for example being new to the allotment Ive grown way to much marjoram, organo, coriander, rocket etc - its just going to go to waste hence the idea of traders shed were all can swap their goodies. Also a place where we could trade stuff like landscape cloth for coverin g weeds - could be used for all types of stuff. Do want to be over formal or put anyone off but I'd probablt benefit for anyones experience of how to run
Dave
Last year our trading shed was re started. The building was already there, a very small amount of old stock was also found in the hut. It was started selling just a few basic items. The allotments officer helped by donating a couple of products bought via the council. The main help to really get it going was the donation by a relative of one of the allotment holders who died of anumber of tools and other bits. Once there was money coming in new stock could be bought. Stock has been bought from a number of places, looking out for bargins or buying in bulk from a supplier when we had some more money. A committee was formed at the start with a trading secretary. we have had a turnover of over £1000 since September with only about 45 members. We are using money to buy more stock and increase the variety and holding communal events for the allotment holders. Hope this gives you some ideas, if you have an allotments officer speak to them. It is a fair amount of work, especially initially but worthwhile.
David, On our Site for the past two seasons I have organised a Plant & Seed Share during the growing season. As you say there are always plants and seeds left over and it seems a shame not to share the excess with lottie neighbours.
It has been moderately successful and I held it every third Sunday in the month, having the last one Sunday gone. I postered the Site Gates a week before and made biscuits that people could have with their cuppas if they took part. Not much of an incentive if you have tasted my biscuits but I thought it was a welcoming thing to do. I wish I could have served tea as well but our Shed hasn't any electricity.
I will be interested to hear what you decide to do, and well done you for making the effort.  :) busy_lizzie
We've got a very succesful shop on site. We aren't as cheap as some trading huts but make enough profit that we can hold good stocks. It's open on Saturday and Sunday mornings and there are always plants and things brought in by people who have surplus, which anyone who wants can have. Also it acts as a contact point if anyone wants anything that someone else might have spare. I'm also a member of Nottingham Organic Gardeners and we have a seed/plant swap night which works well. Generally, just being sociable around the site means you're always swapping or giving things away. Most of the newbies this year are growing toms, cukes, aubergines and peppers that I had spare, and I've almost filled my herb bed with plants that were given to me.