RCF celebrates Grampound Community Shop’s 10-year anniversary
December 6, 2024
A community shop in the village of Grampound in Cornwall celebrated its 10-year anniversary this November, thanks in part to funding it received from the The Royal Countryside Fund (RCF).
In 2012, the only grocery store in Grampound was set to close, leaving nearby residents increasingly isolated and without easy access to a shop. In response, the local community came together to establish a community shop, offering shares in the project to over 220 residents, and working hard to secure planning permission and raise the necessary money.
The new community shop opened in November 2014, thanks in part to funding from the RCF. Since then, a dedicated team of volunteers have run the shop, stocking the shelves, carrying out maintenance and managing the finances. Over the last 10 years the Grampound residents have maintained their shop with energy and enthusiasm, improving the facilities, and providing a self-sustaining service for the benefit of the whole community. Today the project is widely regarded as a highly successful enterprise and its team is frequently asked to mentor other similar start-ups.
Alongside the core retail business, the shop provides other valuable facilities, including a weekly Post Office service and a way for locals to pick up medical prescriptions. It is also a vital hub for the community, where residents can socialise and volunteers can develop their skills.
RCF trustee, Chris Sparrow, attended the shop’s 10-year anniversary celebration on November 2nd to offer his congratulations on behalf of the charity. With over 100 people in attendance, the joyous atmosphere at the event was proof of the affection the Grampound community has for its shop.
Pippa Fry, Rural Communities Engagement Manager at the RCF, said: “With our RCF grants we want to fund sustainable, community-led solutions that ‘power-up’ up communities, increasing their resilience. Helping rural communities to thrive is essential for the future of our countryside.
“We know what a massive difference funding can make to the day-to-day lives of people in rural areas and the Grampound Community Shop is a fantastic example of this. The shop’s 10-year anniversary celebration shows just how valuable and cherished this institution has become. We wish them all the best for the next 10 years of their journey!”
To find out more about the RCF’s work with rural communities and to see information about upcoming grants, click here.
