Grant for village shop in Thorncombe (From This is The West Country)

Grant for village shop in Thorncombe

2:00pm Friday 14th September 2012 in News

THE till was ringing at the village shop when Magna Housing Association popped in with a cheque for £3,000.

The shop which has been run by the community since being threatened with closure in 2008.

Volunteers at the store are always looking for funding and decided to approach Magna for a donation from its community initiative fund.

Mike Carr, community shop treasurer, said: “We’re really grateful to Magna.

“The shop’s well established, and though times are hard in retail we have a loyal customer base.

“Grants like this make a real difference to a community shop like ours.”

The parish council bought and refurbished the shop and post office, now run by an industrial and provident society for the village.

Mr Carr said: “The shop’s run by a management committee – all volunteers, a salaried manager, an assistant and 20 to 30 volunteers from the village working shifts.”

The shop sells an extensive range of produce, including delicatessen items, fresh fruit and vegetables, and fresh meat, locally sourced where possible.

There is also a café for teas, coffee and cakes.

Ken Bodycombe, Magna’s community development manager, said: “Village shops are more than just shops – they’re real local hubs where people get together and socialise.

“The community initiative fund forum has supported community shops in the past because they know how important they are for village life.

“They were pleased to support Thorncombe and were very impressed with the shop.”