PLANS to create a new village shop and a heritage centre in Cotherstone are being spearheaded by a group of residents.
Members of the Cotherstone Old Chapel Project are working on a business plan to set up a community shop, cafe and heritage centre following the closure of the village Post Office and general supplies store.
Two years ago, a steering group was formed by village residents when the owners of the Post Office and shop Adam and Karolina Alston made an approach to the parish council about a community buyout after failing to attract a buyer for the business.
A steering group held several public meetings to discuss plans for a community run shop, mapping out various options, including the possibility of purchasing and converting the village’s Methodist Chapel.
However, plans were put on hold in last April after the country entered the first national Covid-19 lockdown.
Now a new group, Cotherstone Old Chapel Project, has approached the parish council asking for help to let the community know they will be progressing plans.
A social media page has been set up by the group and posters displayed within the village’s noticeboards.
Members asked the parish council to alert the community by including information on their website, of the change.
However, at their January meeting councillors were reluctant to do this before finding out more detailed plans from the group.
Cllr Richard Hunter said: “I think we need some proposals first. What are their aims and what do they hope to achieve?”
Cllr Vince Bendin, who had been a member of the original steering group, said: “I did step back from the project but I was contacted by the Plunkett Foundation and they are willing to offer this new team one full day to help focus their plans.
“I think the request was purely to advertise to residents to say there was a new group of people working on the project.”
Cllr Richard Green thought it was a good idea to invite the group to speak with the council.
However, clerk Judith Mashiter told members there would need to be a certain amount of checks made about the group.
She said: “This is a group of individuals that have no formal constitution or bank account and to ensure you as councillors are covered, I will refer them to the grant award process and ask them to submit details.”
Cllr Tim Sabey said asking for a written submission would help. Cllr Hunter agreed. He added: “It will focus their minds. Ask them about what community share means and what it entails.”
On the new group’s social media page, the group states it is looking at plans to purchase the Methodist Chapel and are working on a business plan to set up a community shop, cafe and heritage centre.
They say the project would work alongside the village hall and aims to provide different facilities for the community that would not conflict with either of the two pubs – the Red Lion and the Fox and Hounds – or the village hall.
