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Village co-op up for nomination
A VILLAGE shop project that gave new life to a historic building is in the running for an environmental 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.
Anne Holdsworth, of Midgley Community Forum's social group, said: "It's a co-op in every sense of the word - a real community enterprise and something that to both Midgley and Calderdale is quite unique and can be held up as a really good example for other communities."
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.
John Benson, of Midgley Community Forum, said: "We're obviously very pleased and highly delighted. There has been a lot of work put in by all sectors of the community."
The shop is up and running but will be officially reopened in September.
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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