AN appeal to raise £10,000 to secure the future of a village shop and tearoom near Wellington has passed its half-way mark.

Stawley Community Association (SCA) wants to transition the shop from a tenancy-structured business to one which is fully community managed.

Association chairman Nigel Paterson said the move was necessary to ensure the continuity of facilities provided by the shop and tearoom for local customers and visitors alike.

Mr Paterson said: “The aim is very much to run the facility as a financially self-supporting business with a structure to ensure its long-term sustainability for the community, for the years ahead.

“To enable the successful transition, we require a start up fund, this to provide for key items, including stock purchase and the initial facility standing costs.”

Mr Paterson said the premises would be staffed by local volunteers and supported by a business administration assistant.

With ‘well over’ £5,000 already raised, SCA hopes to complete the transition project during the autumn.

The shop, in Appley Cross, Stawley, hosts a Post Office on Thursday mornings for postage and banking services, including cashback, and it can act as a drop-off point for residents expecting a delivery.

It has about 20 volunteer staff at present, and more are still being recruited to help with a range of tasks, not just working behind the counter, and even if they only have a couple of hours a week to spare.

Stawley is on two national cycling trails with cyclists frequently calling in and making use of its cycle racks and stirrup pump, while puncture repair kits are available for sale.

There is also a large-scale wall-mounted map to help navigate the area, free wifi in the tea room, and information on local events and people.

The shop offers top-ups for weekly groceries, including fresh bread, local produce, milk, household goods, beer and wine, as well as daily newspapers and a variety of magazines, and a selection of cakes and slices to take away or eat in with a cup of tea or coffee.

The SCA online fund-raising page can be found here.