Local businessman and entrepreneur Mr John Romans receives his High Sheriff Award from Sybil Fine King, Dorset High Sheriff 2023.

L-R – Cheryl Basten,  SturAction Shops Manager, Sybil Fine King, Dorset High Sheriff, Nick Dobson Chair SturAction, John Romans.

The Award event took place in 1855 Sturminster Newton – (the former NatWest bank)

John Romans said “I may have owned  the 3 former bank properties, but it is the people who have made them come alive”.

Sybil Fine King praised John Romans for his generosity and support for Sturminster Newton.

Bank 1 Lloyds Bank opened in July 2021

After a cheeky request in June 2021 from Cheryl, the shops manager, John agreed to SturAction using the former Lloyds bank for storage. And so,  The Emporium opened just as Lockdown was easing….and within two weeks it became a shop!

The Emporium was an instant success. As a result, Sturaction has been able to fund and sponsor many local projects and initiatives thanks to the donated goods sold in the shops. You can see the list here…(Sturminster Newton Community Benefit Society Ltd | Sturminster Newton (sturminster-newton.org.uk) 

When John said “I want to give you the building “in early 2022, it came as a total surprise to Nick Dobson Sturaction Chair and Pauline Batstone Secretary. “We were with John to agree the terms of the lease!”.

So the building was formally gifted to Sturaction Sturminster Newton Community Benefit Society Ltd.in December 2022 for the benefit of the town in perpetuity.

Bank 2 Barclays bank opened in late 2022.  John agreed a lease with Sturaction as a salesroom for donated furniture.

So that is now two banks being used!

Bank 3 Natwest Bank conversion work started in early 2022

Shop manager Cheryl looked at the empty NatWest bank in early 2022 “we can do something with this building”.

With Cheryl’s enthusiasm and volunteer Ian’s joint vision, and with clever refurbishment and Sturaction financing, 1855 was created.

So Natwest has been converted into an industrial steampunk artisan warehouse full of local creativity.

1855 Sturminster Newton is now a thriving unique shopping destination providing selling space for over 50 local artisan traders selling varied quality goods…..from wine, cider and cheese

So, with three former banks now in use for the benefit of the town, John Romans richly deserves the Dorset High Sheriff Award.