AFTER raising £112,000 to create a community hub, a volunteer group is moving to the next phase of the project.
The Cotherstone Community Benefit Society is hoping to create a community-run cafe, shop and heritage centre in the old Methodist chapel.
The society was given the thumbs up by Durham County Council in December to make the changes at the building.
The society offered shares to the community last year, looking to raise £100,000 to partially fund the building work. But the organisation smashed its target by £12,000.
A spokesperson said: “We have been invited by the Community Ownership Fund to re-submit an early speculative bid that we made when the new government fund opened last August.
“Having since raised the £112,000 in community shares, secured planning permission with detailed building costs and a draft lease, our bid for match-funding will be stronger still.”
A decision on the funding bid will not be known until April or May. But the society will be electing a management team to take the project forward during a meeting at the village hall on Friday, April 22. Volunteers are also planning another pop-up cafe event in the chapel on Saturday, February 12.
Last year they ran a series of pop-up cafes, which proved very popular, raising awareness of their project and funds.
The society added: “The pop-up events we held in the chapel were fun and well attended. They raised money, awareness and served great food.”
There will be warming soups, breakfast rolls, cakes and other goodies between 10am and 2.30pm. Volunteers will be on hand answer queries on the latest developments.
For more information on the Cotherstone Old Chapel Project or to volunteer, contact any member of the management team – Chris Tarpey on 07941 017226, Stuart Singleton 01833 650661, Avril Tully 07397 518676, Mark Weeding 07980 687850, Paul Hunt 0776 2102378, Joy Collyer 01833 651923, Helen Rowell 07961 044230, or Peter Collyer 07929 828129.
