VILLAGERS in Roadwater are preparing to put their money where their mouths are as plans to prevent the closure of their shop and post office took a significant step forward this week.

As reported in the Free Press in April, the business is currently up for sale but for personal reasons the owners have announced that, if a buyer is not found by the end of June, it will have to shut.

The community has already given its wholehearted support to keeping the much needed and well used facility open and on Monday villagers agreed an investment plan, with non-binding pledges to buy into the venture pouring in.

More than 80 people attended a meeting – the second to be held – and backed a bid to set up the Roadwater Community Shop.

It would be managed on a tenancy basis – initially on a two-year agreement with a monthly rent paid to the owner - by a limited liability company with working capital raised by a share issue.

The creation of a management committee, chaired by local former chartered accountant John Allen, received overwhelming support and villagers are now being asked to invest a minimum of £50 to buy 100 shares, with a share prospectus expected to be issued within the next few weeks.

Committee spokesman Edward Townsend said an estimated £20,000 needed to be raised to cover the cost of buying the stock and ensuring sufficient 'buffer' capital to support the business.

He said it was hoped the existing part-time staff would continue to work at the shop on an employed basis and the committee would also be looking to recruit a new postmaster or postmistress, with the full backing of the Post Office.

"Ideally we would like a buyer to come forward but until that happens we are determined with this contingency plan to keep the business running," said Mr Townsend.

He described the rescue plan as a triumph for community action and said the current owner had been enormously helpful in achieving agreement.

"We hope to call on her retail skills to ensure the success of the venture.

"Community-run shops and post offices are increasingly vital to the health of rural villages.

"They provide not only retail services but a centre for people to meet and chat and gossip about local issues.

"And in our case the shop provides essential supplies to the many tourists visiting Exmoor National Park or walking the Coleridge Way."

The business not only serves Roadwater but also neighbouring Luxborough, Treborough, Leighland and the surrounding area.

John Allen said Roadwater itself was a village different to most.

"We have a successful pub, a church, the shop and post office, a garage and a village hall and recreation ground whose usage is phenomenal," he said.

"We need all of these facilities. This combination is backed by a very strong community spirit and is something that we should perpetuate as long as possible."

The shop currently opens seven days a week and offers post office services on five and a half days.

But the management committee is hoping to extend evening and Sunday opening hours and also increase sales of local produce as part of a number of new initiatives being considered to ensure the business remains thriving and viable.

Mr Townsend said villagers driving the contingency plan were enormously heartened by the support shown by local people and were confident sufficient capital would be raised to get the venture off the ground.

Anyone wishing to make a pledge should contact Mary Coles on 01984 640976.