Yorkshire Shop in the running for environmental award
A community owned shop in Yorkshire is one of six schemes in the running for a £2,000 environmental prize. If they are succesful, they will eligible for a further £5000 prize.
The Midgley Matters Community Shop was set up in Great House Barn, Midgley, by residents after the village's last remaining shop and Post Office closed in 2003. Villagers raised a staggering £220,000 to buy and refurbish the historic co-operative building after they were were given notice to quit the old premises. They met the price tag through grants, fund-raising and an innovative share scheme which allowed the community to buy in to the project.
The co-op, which opened around six weeks ago, now houses a volunteer-run shop and community room on its ground floor, with a self-contained flat above which will be rented out.
The project has now been shortlisted in a national awards scheme by one of its funders, Biffaward, who gave a £50,000 grant towards the purchase the co-op through the Green Business Network. It is one of six schemes in the running for a £2,000 prize in the Buildings for Community and Culture category. An overall winner will be announced in November and net a further £5,000.
Read more in the Halifax Courier.
