Humshaugh villagers launch firm to run shop

They have set up a company called Humshaugh Community Ventures Ltd and are appealing to other villagers to help make the project a success by donating their time, skills and money.

A public meeting to be held tomorrow at 8pm in the village hall will hear that the committee has been successful in securing funding from four organisations which will allow it to buy and run the shop.

It is hoped the company will take over from the Grays by the end of October or early November, and relaunch the store as a community shop at a later date.

Dick Moules, committee chairman and a Humshaugh parish councillor, said: "We are delighted that everyone's efforts have paid off. At the moment we can't reveal who the funders are, or how much has been raised, but we hope to be able to say more on Tuesday night.

"Now the really hard work begins. A survey we carried out in March showed that a huge majority of people supported the idea of a community shop. We need them to help with expertise, hard graft and even financial donations if they can manage it. But above all we want villagers to be customers.

"We'll be looking at ways to develop the store by extending the range of products and services it offers. That's the good thing about it being a community venture - we can be more responsive to customers' needs."

Fellow committee member and parish councillor Steve Robins, who lives in the village and runs a business there, said: "There has been a real worry, following the closure of the post office, that the shop would not survive."

It is likely that the store will have a paid full-time manager, but everyone else will be working on a voluntary basis. It is hoped to extend the opening hours from the current mornings-only service.

PIctured top: A Humshaugh villager protests against the post office closure last year