THERE is a ‘realistic prospect’ of a £130,000 community shop opening in Kilve by next Easter to replace the village store and Post Office which closed more than a year ago.

Project chairman Jim Morris said the modular wooden shop was planned for Kilve Parish Council land adjoining the village car park.

Mr Morris said it would take little more than a week to construct, and had a 40-year lifespan.

A community share issue demonstrating local support has passed its £15,000 target and triggered a commitment from Hinkley Point C’s community partnership fund to release a £50,000 grant.

Mr Morris said: “The certain facts are, we have the support of the village, we have over £15,000 in the bank, and a promise from Hinkley of £50,000.

“We need a couple more commitments for funding and we are working on these.

“We are waiting to hear from the Fairfield Trust about a grant of £22,000.

“If we can reach £100,000, we should be able to manage it.

“We need the building open by next Easter and if we can get planning permission by the end of the year, I think this will be a realistic prospect.”

Since the village store and Post Office closed in February of last year about 1,000 people in the area have faced a six to 12-mile round trip to the nearest shops.

All shareholders in the Kilve project will be members of the not-for-profit Kilve Community Shop Benefit Society, each with a say in how the shop is run.

Mr Morris said if the scheme was successful, the shop will stock everyday essentials and locally-produced food, and be run by a part-time manager and volunteers.

He said: “There is no reason why it should not succeed, the previous shop turned over £350,000 in its final year.”