AFTER a year of campaigning volunteers trying to save their popular village store have finally reached their fundraising target.

Chalford Community Stores was forced from its High Street location in February last year and since then has been trading from Christ Church in London Road.

This was always going to be a temporary arrangement due to the fact that it was on the edge of the village and because the post office was not able to be run from the church.

In December last year the store committee launched a community share issue in order to raise enough money to purchase the the Seventh Day Advent Hall in the high street which would bring the shop and post office back to the heart of the village.

Members of the community were invited to invest in the shop and post office by purchasing shares priced at £10 each.

The committee has now reached its target of £50,000, which will be added to an agreed mortgage from Triodos Bank and £14,000 grant from Chalford Parish Council, and are now in a position to negotiate the purchase of the Advent Hall.

Mike Roberts, Chalford Community Stores committee chairman, explained that the committee is now in negotiations to discuss a price for the premises.

“The support we have received from residents has shown just how important this village shop is to the community,” he added.

More information about the progress of the shop can be found at www.chalfordshop.wordpress.com.