New chapter for 'lifeline' village community shop

A revamped shop is providing a "lifeline" to vulnerable people in a village, the team behind has said.

People in All Cannings, Wiltshire, are celebrating the re-opening of their community shop, made possible through fundraising, including a £128,000 grant.

The money paid for the demolition of the previous shop, which was in a portacabin, as well as the foundations and timber frame of the new shop.

Peter Cooper, from the All Cannings Community Shop team, said: "This project has given the village something to be truly proud of."

"The shop is a vital lifeline for local people, particularly for those who are older, frail or unable to travel," said Cooper.

The shop in the village near Devizes first opened 20 years ago but closed in January for the rebuild to be carried out.

The previous shop's building, made from second-hand portacabins, had severe structural issues caused by rot and could not be repaired safely or affordably, the team said.

The grant came from the government via Wiltshire Council's Rural England Prosperity Fund.

"The new building has lifted the mood among volunteers and the wider community, and there is a genuine sense of pride in what has been achieved," Cooper added.

"After some real setbacks and a significant funding gap, the Rural Hubs grant got us over the line and helped turn a long-held ambition into reality."

With limited public transport in the area, villagers say the shop is an essential asset, especially for people without cars, and those who are frail or housebound.

As well as selling groceries, volunteers at the shop also support vulnerable residents with home deliveries.

Helen Belcher, cabinet member for economic development at Wiltshire Council, said the redevelopment of the shop "means residents can continue to access the village shop while also benefiting from a welcoming space that serves as a central hub for village life".

The Rural England Prosperity Fund programme was time limited and has now come to an end.