Last updated 16:13, Wednesday, 27 August 2008

A UNIQUE community store is set to open this weekend – marking the end of a two-year fight by villagers.

Residents in the rural South Lakeland village will be out in force to celebrate the success story which saw over £100,000 raised from fund-raising, grants and shares – £30,000 was raised from £10 shares sold to local people.

Following the closure in July 2006 of its shop and post office – which had belonged to the same family for 100 years – the community launched a massive fight-back to reinstate what it considered were vital services.

And shop management group chairman John Sainsbury said the opening was an “exciting testament to the wonderful spirit of the community”.

Mr Sainsbury said: “After nearly two-and-a-half years of research, planning, talking, encouraging, learning and praying, we have a great outcome and everyone involved should be very proud.”

The store has been created in part of the village pub, the Derby Arms, now undergoing extensive refurbishment, after being shut also for two-and-a-half years. It will be a trading post for larder basics as well as organic, Fairtrade and locally produced products, specialising in service with a smile.

The enterprise has created three jobs and will support local food and craft producers.

Mr Sainsbury said it would be a very different shopping experience, where village crafts and art would be sold alongside staple supplies.

He said: “It will go well beyond being a place to buy things. It will be somewhere for people to meet, talk and find a kind smile. This has been fought for by our community all the way. It’s a lovely space created by our own skilled builders and craftsmen. It will be managed by three local women, and a band of volunteers, and it is now down to all of us to use it and make it succeed. This whole project is about the people who live here. It’s about a community which is determined not to lose the vital services that hold a village together.”