THE steering group managing an effort to buy Roadwater’s village shop has stepped up its campaign.
Villagers saved the shop from closure two years ago and the plan now is to take it into community ownership to help secure its future.
The steering group has set a minimum target of raising £110,000 from shares towards the total needed to buy the freehold of the shop and the flat above it.
A share offer is now officially open and the aim is to attract 500 members and investors for the community venture.
Shares are £1 each and an application for 25 shares is the minimum required to become a member of the proposed new community business.
Rob Wetheridge, chairman of the steering group, said: “We’ve had a good local response with many pledges and two busy meetings at the village hall. Currently we enjoy the support of 160 people.
“We now want our supporters to spread the word to see if we can recruit as many as 500 members from across the region and beyond.
“That means an effort for every current supporter to try and add three more names to our register to take us clear of the 500 member target that we have set for ourselves.
“We actively welcome enquiries and applications from anyone associated with the area including relatives, friends and general community-minded well-wishers.
“We are encouraging all to join our effort to secure the future of what is, to many of us, a vital service and daily meeting place combined.”
The share offer is due to close on Wednesday June 14, and treasurer Simon Smith said: “We welcome investments or donations of all amounts, large and small.
“The more people involved the better our case for additional grant-funding when we are asked about how much support we already have for this project.”
Documents are available to view and download by visiting www.roadwater.org and selecting Village Shop CBS.
Mary Coles is handling enquiries regarding shareholder membership and can be contacted at [email protected].“We’ve had an encouraging start to our campaign but now we need a last big effort to secure the funds and the support we need to really set us on our way,” she said.
“For anyone interested please do contact me and beat the proposed June 14 deadline for applications. A big thank you to all those who have already given their support.”