Rachael Hamilton MSP has added her support to the new community shop in Cockburnspath who are seeking to raise £25,000.
The Community Benefit Society, established in September, have worked hard to deliver a new shop that will service the villages of Cockburnspath and Cove following the closure of the village Store in February.
Following the release of shares to every resident within the community, so far £17,000 has been raised. A share can be bought for £10 and people can buy up to 250 in total.
In the next 10 days, they are looking to raise a further £8,000 to bring them to their target of £25,000.
The groundworks for the modular building which will become the shop are underway following the support by the contractors of Aikengall Community Wind Farm.
It is anticipated that the shop will be opening its doors for the first time in January with at least two part-time Community Shop Managers in position.
Mrs Hamilton backed the fundraising campaign and is encouraging local residents in East Berwickshire to buy shares in the community shop, to help it reach its target.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“It is amazing what has been achieved by the Community Benefit Society over the past few months, since its inception in September.
“Now more than ever, it is important to have local services they can rely on, and the community shop will serve the community of Cocksburnspath and Cove well in the years ahead.
“I would urge all local residents to purchase shares to help the project reach completion.
“I want to thank Jennie Sutton, the Community Development Facilitator and members of the Society for their hard work and determination to pull the project off”.
Jennie Sutton said:
“The new community shop will be owned by the community and they will have a share, a say and a show of hands over it's future and sustainability. Being a shareholder you're more than a customer, you're an investor.
“So buy a community share, a Christmas gift for the community”.