People’s store marks decade of village life
ASUCCESSFUL store set up by residents as the last remaining shop in their rural community is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Gawsworth Community Shop, on Longbutts Lane, opened on March 10, 2011 although plans to mark the decade milestone have been delayed by Covid.
It was already a private store and when owners announced it was to shut down that was set to make the last of four in the village to close.
So residents sprang into action and via grants, donations and community share issue found the funds to take on the shop themselves.
Had they not done this then villagers would have been five miles from the nearest supermarket.
It has since gone from strength to strength.
Diane Lynch, from Gawsworth, said: “It created a hive of activity that has provided opportunities for customers and volunteers aged 14 to over 80 that were brought together and benefited from this unique community project.
“The shop is an integral part of village life, open seven days a week thanks to an army of just under 50 dedicated volunteers, many of which have been involved since the day it opened.
“The shop is owned by the community and run by volunteers for the benefit of the community.”
In 2019 surplus income was reinvested to buy the adjoining ground floor flat and create a community hub from which information, support and social activities are offered.
A £53,000 National Lottery Reaching Communities grant was also secured in order to help with this.
During the Covid pandemic and its associated lockdowns the store has provided a lifeline for residents - particularly elderly ones.
It has continued to offer local produce, household necessities as well as gifts and cards.
The hub has not been able to welcome visitors but has gone out into the community with quizzes and a newsletter.
Residents were encouraged to use their craft skills to make items for the hub to sell, raising more than £2,000 for charities.
Diane said: “The birthday party that had been planned will now be deferred until later in the year but March 10 will not go unnoticed.
” There will be special recognition of this milestone for all customers visiting the shop on this day.”
Over the last decade there has been sales of more than £1.5m, all loans have been repaid and a capital return offered to shareholders.
Chairman Ray Shaw added: “I’d like to thank all employees and volunteers past and present, and all supporters and users of the shop in helping us to reach this amazing milestone.”
For more information visit www.gawsworthshop.co.uk.