THE village stores at Broadwindsor are set to re-open as a community shop.

Residents will have to find £30,000 between now and the end of August to get them off the ground.

At a packed meeting at Comrades Hall, residents heard a deal had been struck with the new owner.

Fraser Hughes, chairman of the Save Our Broadwindsor Shop (SOBS) committee, said: “We have struck an agreement for a five-year tenure.

“After two years there is a break clause where either party can give six months’ notice.

“We would hope to be doing well enough to wish to continue for the total term.”

SOBS is seeking donations and calling on people to buy shares in the industrial and provident society which would be set up so the community could run the shop, which it is hoped could re-open in October.

It would be run by a management committee with a shop committee responsible for everyday operations. The shop will be staffed by a paid manager and volunteers.

On-tap expertise is being provided by the Plunkett Foundation, which has a long and successful track record of helping community shops in England and Wales.

The news came at the end of meeting held to discuss the results of parish plan questionnaire delivered to 680 homes in the group parish, which covers Broadwindsor, Drimpton, Blackdown, Kittwhistle, Hursey, Burstock and Seaborough.

Some 65 per cent returned the questionnaire.

Residents enjoyed the area because of its tranquillity, beautiful countryside and friendly people.

Dislikes centred round the state of the roads, lack of public transport, speeding traffic, poor broadband and mobile phone reception, a shortage of social and affordable housing, the closed shop, lack of amenities for the young and the Broadwindsor weather.

Mr Hughes, who is also chairman of the parish plan steering committee, said: “We have identified 26 action points from what people have told us and each topic has been given a timescale.

Action is required from all levels of local government – county, district and parish.

“Equally important though is for us, as residents, to do our bit, and volunteer to help set up and run some of the facilities people have requested.”

Residents are due to receive a copy of the plan in July. It was sponsored by an Awards for All grant from the Big Lottery Fund, Broadwindsor Parish Council, Broadwindsor Jubilee Group, Broadwindsor Craft Centre, Heavers of Bridport, PC Pict.com, Wessex Home & Office Furniture, Dorset Kitchens & Furniture.