CASH from the dale’s county councillors helped a village community not only have its cake, but sell it too.
After the official opening Cotherstone Old Chapel Café and Shop, those behind the project treated funders, who helped make their dream a reality, to coffee and cake.
Although the Old Chapel Project raised a significant amount of money from a community share issue and a series of pop up fundraising events, Durham County Council also provided financial support totalling £180,000.
Grants from Teesdale Action Partnership’s (TAP) towns and villages fund added £40,000 with county councillors Richard Bell and Ted Henderson contributing £20,000 from their neighbourhood budgets.
A further £120,000 came from the towns and villages strategic programme improving community resilience fund.
Staff from Durham County Council and TAP joined Cllrs Bell, Henderson and James Rowlandson at the Old Chapel to sample some of the tasty treats on offer in the café.
Chris Tarpey, treasurer for the Old Chapel, said everyone involved with the project was delighted with the response since opening.
He added: “We’re really pleased with how everything is going.
“The café has exceeded our expectations and there has been a steady flow of customers, both local and visitors, every day we are open – and that is just from articles in the paper, social media and word of mouth.
“At the moment we have concentrated on the café and although our menu is limited, as we learn it will expand. As we move into the autumn, we will be introducing more hot food.”
He added: “The shop is stocked and we are going to be adding to the range with more fresh local food.
“We do have free range eggs from Baldersdale and a local producer has also supplied us with potatoes but we are looking to expand the arts and crafts side as well.”
Cllr Bell said: “It is going really well. I have supported the Chapel project personally by buying shares on two occasions because I think it important that the village has services for residents and visitors alike.”
Cllr Henderson added: “It has brought an old building back into use. They have done a fantastic job to get it to this stage.
“Having seen the building when the idea was put to us, and to see it now, you wouldn’t think it was the same place.
“It was definitely money well spent. Recognition has got to go to the community for their faith in the project.”
Adam White, from TAP, said: “I don’t believe there are any other projects like this in the county and it is definitely a model that will be replicated given how successful it has been.”
