5:30pm Wednesday 31st March 2010
By Adam Binnie
A community plan to purchase Sarratt’s village shop has reached a milestone £140,000, placing it tantalisingly close to the total amount required.
Villagers, led by campaigner David Alexander, are attempting to raise £183,000 in order to purchase theshop and post office and run it as a community-led business. In 2007, the post office faced closure as part of a nationwide programme.
But after a lengthy campaign it was saved and now residents are keen to protect its future.
Mr Alexander said: “This is about protecting the future of the shop. These businesses can deliver steady income, but are facing challenges, due to the changing nature of communities and suppliers desires, plus those of the owners.
“Communities like Sarratt need a village shop to survive and maintain the sense of community that exists.
“We fought the campaign for the post office and won. That issue will no doubt come round again at some point in the future, so we need to be ready and committed to defend ourselves, which is easier to do if the community is the owner.”
If the group purchases the shop, it will be run as a community interest company - a limited company created by people who want to run a business for community benefit - and not purely for private profit.
Sarratt district councillor, Tony Barton, said: “The shop is the heart of the village, we fought hard to save the shop and post office, which was supported by everyone.
“David is a very capable man, and works very hard. He came up with this idea and at a village meeting, 100 people or more pledged their support to it.”
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