Work to build a community shop that will be funded and operated by the community in Wigginton has started.
Supporters came out in force on Saturday to celebrate ‘breaking ground’ at the site on the village sports field.
The shop has gathered huge support over the last twelve months. A series of fundraisers, an offer that invited people to buy shares in the shop – which raised an incredible £89,100 – and a number of successful grant applications including Lottery and LEADER, have given the financial backing the project needed to get off the ground.
Debbie Meech, Chair of the shop’s management committee said; “We are so excited that the build is underway. It means that we are on schedule to open our doors before Christmas, which means we can start enjoying this wonderful asset that will be such an important part of our village.”
The shop, which will be run by a manager and a roster of local volunteers, will offer convenience goods and local produce and services. It will also incorporate a café which will help to bring people together, becoming the heart of the village.
Debbie continued; “We have been overwhelmed by just how much support there has been. We have a really strong management committee and working party, and so many people have offered their professional skills for free or at a nominal fee. Wigginton has a lot of talented people! We have also had a great response to our volunteer recruitment, and we are in the final stages of appointing a manager, all of whom will be crucial to the success of the shop when it is up and running.”
The build is scheduled to last around 10 weeks and has been awarded to local building firm Datum Point whose director has lived in Wigginton for more than 12 years. Other local firms which have been instrumental are environmental services firm RSK, solicitors Penman Sedgwick and Barnes & Partners, project management specialists Bourne WP, architect Richard Onslow, and planning expert Trevor Standen.