Shares

HCEL shares

Our initial community share offer ran from 12 July 2023 to midnight on 16 August 2023 and was time-limited to ensure sufficient demand and support for raising the funds to buy the business. Our target was a minimum of £100,000 and maximum of £175,000 and by the time the offer closed we had raised over £127,000. So, we were able to take over Blooming Fruity on behalf of the community on 25 September 2023.

Shares can still be bought at any time, and we welcome every new investment. The following guidelines should be read before submitting an application to purchase shares, and any questions directed to secretary@haddenhamcommunityenterprise.co.uk

  • Anyone who supports the objectives of HCEL can become a member by purchasing the minimum of 100 £1 shares.

  • All members will have one vote regardless of the size of their shareholding, and will be able to determine policy and vote and stand in elections for the Management Committee.

  • Interest of up to 5% will be paid on shares. We will start paying interest as soon as the Society has sufficient surplus funds available, i.e., once we have met our other obligations (such as finance payments and other overheads) and have built up adequate reserves to ensure we can maintain the business and rent payments. We anticipate this will take at least three years from taking over the business

  • Investors may be able to set some of the cost of their shares against tax under the terms of the government’s Social Investment Tax Relief scheme, but this is subject to confirmation by HMRC and cannot be guaranteed.

  • The value of shares cannot increase beyond their nominal value of £1.

  • This is a long-term investment. Shares cannot be sold or transferred between members and can only be withdrawn after a minimum period of three years on giving three months’ notice. Withdrawal will be at the discretion of the Management Committee, having regard to the long-term interest of the Society.

  • However, the value of shares of a deceased shareholder may be transferred to another person in accordance with his/her wishes.

Security of your shares

A CBS is registered with, but not authorised by, the Financial Conduct Authority. Therefore, the money you pay for your shares is not safeguarded by any depositor protection or dispute resolution scheme. The share offer is exempt from the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 or subsidiary regulations, which means you have no right of complaint to the Financial Ombudsman.

While the Management Committee will do everything possible to safeguard the value of your investment while pursuing the Society’s objectives, any investment in shares carries risks and you should be prepared to lose part or the whole value of your investment

HOW TO BUY SHARES

To buy shares and become a member of Haddenham Community Enterprise Limited (trading as Blooming Fruity):

1. complete and directly submit the online Application to Buy Shares form

AND

2. send your payment either by bank transfer (details in the form) or by a cheque

to The Secretary, Haddenham Community Enterprise Limited at 11 Wykeham Way, Haddenham HP17 8BL

Click the button below to fill in the form online

Alternatively, you can pick up a form from the shop or download a copy here and return it in person or by post to:

The Secretary, Haddenham Community Enterprise Limited

11 Wykeham Way, Haddenham, HP17 8BL

Each individual, family member or organisation should complete a separate form. 

Membership is open to any person (whether an individual, a corporate body or the nominee of an unincorporated organisation) who completes an application for membership in the form required by HCEL Management Committee and:

 is over 18 years of age;

  • supports the Society’s Purpose

  • pays for the minimum number of shares required by the Rules.

Shares can be purchased in multiples of £1, with a minimum of £100, and paid for by online bank transfer (this is the preferred means of payment) or cheque.