Norton-sub-Hamdon is set to benefit from a Community Shop after being awarded a grant by South Somerset District Council’s Area North Committee.
A community grant to the sum of £9,346 was awarded on Wednesday’s (27 August) Committee meeting to Norton-sub-Hamdon Community Land Trust which will help towards the start-up costs of acquiring and operating the village post office and shop.
The post office and shop has provided a vital local service for many years. The current sub-postmaster is retiring which has led to a local review of the future provision of a village shop and post office serving Norton and other nearby villages.
Liz Maunder, secretary of the Community Land Trust said, “We are very grateful to SSDC, not only for the award of the grant, which is an enormous boost to the project but also for the support of officers and councillors, in particular Cllr Sylvia Seal, our local ward member”.
Councillor Shane Pledger, Area North Chairman said, “The social benefits of a local shop are well-evidenced – not to mention the economic value of supporting local producers, and employment and training within the shop itself. A locally managed ‘enterprise’, with the profits re-invested back into the business or associated local services is a model which is gaining national attention for its role in supporting local quality of life”.
The total cost of the project is expected to exceed £57,000, which will acquire the stock, fittings and equipment with a 6 year lease of the post office and shop at Norton-sub-Hamdon.