'We need to dig deep to keep shop open'

From the archive, first published Thursday 19th Feb 2004.

DIG deep was the message at the Wallops Village Shop Association meeting as costs to convert the closure-threatened village shop into a community one could cost as much as £37,500.

Kingsway Stores in Pound Road, Over Wallop is being taken over by the community after Julie Cleife the owner suffered huge profit losses and was forced to consider closure.

The plan is for the shop association to enter into a ten-year lease for the premises which will include shop equipment, fixtures and fittings for a fixed rent.

The association is planning to refurbish the shop, buy new equipment, restock and build an extension which will provide a toilet, washing facilities and additional storage.

Julie will continue running the post office. Association member John Seales said: "To get some grants we have to get some funding from the community.

"Test Valley Borough Council will only match 50 per cent of the money raised from the community and the countryside agency will provide 70 per cent."

The association hopes to get £21,000 in grants and raise £16,000 from the community.

Mr Seales said: "We need to turn this shop around."

If sufficient funding is raised the association hopes to have the shop completed by May and the extension built by July.

The shop will be run by a full-time manager, part-time staff and volunteers.

Mr Seales added: "We need to raise enough to get this project to move forward and it is dependant on what we can raise from the community.

"So dig deep," he added.

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