Villagers set £250K goal to buy 'vital' shop

The community group met local MP Markus Campbell-Savours to discuss government help

Villagers are trying to hit a £250,000 target as part of a plan to take over and run their only shop.

The Hesket Newmarket Community Shop project in Cumbria has so far raised more than £210,000 since launching its fundraising appeal in June.

The store's current owner is retiring and villagers want to take it on as a community asset.

Chair of the community group Philippa Groves said losing the store would be like "losing a vital lifeline".

The group estimate the venture would cost £500,000 and is hoping to apply to the Community Ownership Fund to fund the other half.

As Prince Charles, the King visited the shop in 2004 and 2007

When the general election was called in July, the future of the fund became unclear, the group said.

It has enlisted the support of Markus Campbell-Savours, Labour MP for Penrith and Solway, who said: "We can't underestimate how vital community facilities like this are."

He said he "will be pushing the government to get the Community Ownership Fund up and running as quickly as possible".

The store is also home to the village post office

Michelle Boundy, the group's secretary, said: "There's a real sense of 'can do' in the village".

She added they were "really hopeful" they would have their funding matched.

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Simon Hewitt, vice-chair of the group, said of the fundraising scheme: "People can buy in according to their means, which is absolutely what a community venture is all about."

One of the options being considered, should the group be successful, is letting out one of the shop's rooms to healthcare providers for services such as eye tests.

Villagers say they would lose local access to vital services if the store closes

As well as being a vital local resource, the shop has a royal connection having been visited by the then Prince Charles in 2004 and 2007.

Mrs Groves said the future King was offered some free slices of cake but insisted on paying for them as a treat for passengers on an upcoming helicopter trip.