People power needed to make shop share scheme a success

Villagers have been offered the chance to buy shares in their local shop, in Fife’s first community ownership bid of its kind.

Dunshalt Shop closed two years ago but it is hoped people power will reopen it.

A Community Share Ownership scheme has been launched and people have six weeks to buy in.

Eleanor Porter, chairman of the Dunshalt Community Shop steering group, said: “Bringing a shop back to the village as a communityowned hub is an exciting prospect, not least because it is a first for Fife.

“But for it to work we would need as much support as we can get.”

The village has already bought the derelict shop building, thanks to a £97,500 grant from the Scottish Land Fund which will also support renovation, and the purchase of shares for a refit and restocking.

Eleanor said: “Dunshalt lost its only shop and the glue that kept the community together.

“There is no pub, school or church in the village and the community lost the only place where people bumped into each other and shared their news,” she said.

“Villagers with cars now rely on them to buy basics and those dependent on public transport are often waiting for two hours or more to get back from nearby towns, even if all they need are a few basics.

“We hope that everyone living in the village and others interested in investing in this socially-minded enterprise will invest during this share issue as without strong community support we cannot move forward with the project.”

MP Stephen Gethins said: “It is very important that rural communities like Dunshalt have a central focus where people can meet and feel connected to their village.

“The Dunshalt Community Shop will not only be a real asset to Dunshalt but also to the wider Fife community as it will be an attractive stop-off for those passing through the village by car and by bike.”

Dunshalt Community Shop share issue is open until June 30 and an information weekend will be held in the shop building today and tomorrow from 10am to 5pm.

Anyone aged over 16 can invest between £25 and £6,000 and be given equal say in running the shop.