Within each participating county, the RSA has identified that local organisation most committed to the cause of retaining a healthy network of village shops. These organisations are affiliated to the RSA as ‘Associate Members’, and they act as a conduit between the RSA and the village shops in their own county.

Associate Members of the RSA comprise Rural Community Councils, County Councils, Business Links, local trade associations and other partnership organisations. All these organisations have a common focus – to support their village shops and the communities they serve, and all are committed to working with the RSA to that end.

The primary role of Associate Members is to increase awareness of available support and information for village shops, and they also assist in the distribution of “Village Retailer”, the RSA’s quarterly publication – free to all village shops in participating counties. Associate Members also provide, and help to facilitate, valuable feedback to the RSA.

The RSA works closely with Associate Members in 38 counties.