Community spirit is well on the way to reintroducing an ‘endangered species’ in the countryside the village shop!
Castlethorpe lost its general store and Post Office just over two year ago.
Initially the parish council sought local support for re-instating it with a majority of residents in favour.
A steering group was formed and various sites identified and considered.
In November 2005 longstanding councillor
Bert Tapp negotiated with Milton Keynes Council to buy a spot in
The Chestnuts for a nominal £1.
But progress stalled and following another public meeting, a new steering group was formed in October 2006 by villager
Ian Markham.
Meanwhile fellow resident
Peter Haynes had secured a Post Office Rural Re-start grant and a grant matching loan from the Village Retail Services Association ViRSA with other money about £100,000 in all, said Cllr Tapp.
“We decided to form a company, the
Castlethorpe Village Shop Association, to build it, leasing the land from the Parish Council,” he said.
This week all three were on site to help finish off the footings for the venture which, after now securing a manager to run it, could be open this summer.
“It has been a real team effort by the villagers and residents,” said
Bert.
“The vital thing will be, once the shop is up and running, for local people to use it.
“The message is simple ‘use it or lose it - again!” he said.