How often do you find yourself ‘just nipping’ to the local shop to pick up that item you forgot at the supermarket?  Your neighbour has popped in for coffee and you’ve run out of milk...  You’ve been stuck in the house all day, and would love to have somewhere you could go to meet people and have a proper conversation.

When our privately-owned village shop was closed and the shop turned into a house it left a huge social gap in our community. While Bledington is a friendly village, people now need transport to  purchase their supplies, and there are also fewer chances for casual social interaction.

Our aim is to strengthen community spirit and relationships in the village. The shop and café will provide goods and services for those living both in Bledington, and the surrounding villages.  It will provide access to shopping and services for villagers without a car, as well as becoming a social place for people to meet and interact.  It will be particularly valuable to the 24% of village residents who  are over 65, and the 14% with long-term health needs or disabilities. We also hope to offer internet and Post Office facilities, which were lost when the previous shop closed. 

We have successfully raised £130,000 since we began. We have so far invested £50,000 on securing a site for the shop and café, and laying the foundations. We have £80,000 in the bank, but need a further £120,000 to get the project to completion. We are hoping to raise £20,000 towards  our target through JustGiving, and with your help, we hope to launch the shop before the end of 2018 (or at least have it under construction!). 

Help bring the heart back to our village, and support our community shop and café! by donating today.