WHEN Broughton Village Store reopened in June 2019 as a community-owned shop, it was planned that the building would require serious improvement.

Upper Tweed Community Enterprise Ltd’s (UTCE) chairman Christopher Lambton explained why the improvements are needed.

He said: “The building acquired by UTCE is wind and watertight, but the rear extension is of primitive construction and the garden boasts a collection of multi-level concrete and timber sheds linked by an uneven set of concrete steps.

“There is no insulation and few concessions to the safety or comfort of staff having to carry shop produce up and down icy steps with no handrail.”

At UTCE’s annual members’ meeting on Thursday, September 15 it was revealed that those improvements are expected to cost about £250,000.

UTCE member Sandra Macaskill said: “£250,000 sounds like a lot but it is quite feasible.

“There is quite a lot of money out there for community groups.”

The original work in 2019 was part funded by community shares with £66,000 pledged.

UTCE plans to hold another meeting in November when a second community share offer will be made and it hopes to raise £32,000, with £6,000 pledged already.

Morven Lyon, from Community Shares Scotland, said there are 52 other community-run enterprises in Scotland representing businesses valued at £2.5m.

Ms Lyon said: “Community share offers, like the first one here in 2019, are a bit like crowdfunding but anyone who invests becomes part of the UTCE organisation, with an equal say regardless of the amount invested.

“Shares are withdrawal but there is a yearly cap on the amount.

“Ninety-seven per cent of businesses financed by community shares are still running five years later compared to 63 per cent in the private sector.

“Big funders love community shares because it shows commitment.”

Ms Lyon reminded the meeting that people buying community shares could benefit from Social Investment Tax Relief of 30 per cent.

Mr Lambton said that, despite the shortfalls in the shop’s buildings, after the UTCE purchase it was reopened as quickly as possible as every day that passed without a village shop eroded the future viability of the enterprise.

He added: “There was a massive voluntary effort to refurbish the shop’s interior to create a new and welcoming environment for customers.

“The new shop quietly picked up trade for the first eight months after opening, but the otherwise unwelcome arrival of COVID-19 in early 2020 had a transformative effect on sales.

“These practically doubled overnight, from about £19,000 monthly to £37,000.

“The range of goods rapidly expanded, especially fresh fruit, meat, and vegetables.

“Volunteers scoured the country for elusive loo roll and with additional voluntary support we started deliveries of essentials to isolating households. Soon we had acquired a van.”

As the pressures of the pandemic eased, the shop retained and built on the enhanced level of sales.

The UTCE board established the feasibility of digging out the steeply sloping garden and extending the shop into the space behind.

Mr Lambton added: “Apart from the commercial imperative, it was considered vital to address staff safety issues as soon as possible.

“With support from SSE’s Clyde Borders Wind Farm UTCE employed an architect, engineer, and quantity surveyor.

“Drawings showed a much-enlarged shop, with a manager’s office, staff toilet, and stockroom, all under cover on one level and planning permission was granted.

“It was soon apparent that the shop could not trade while the extension was being built. The Village Hall management committee agreed that the shop could occupy the currently vacant cottage annexed to the south end of the hall, but this too would require some minor modifications to make a serviceable retail space.

“SSE gave a generous grant not only to enable plans to be drawn up and permissions sought, but to pay for the work itself.”

Work should start on the Village Hall cottage within a couple of months and it is expected to begin trading by January.

Building works on the existing shop are expected to take about six months.

Information on the second share issue, including the pledge form, is available at: broughtonvillagestore.co.uk

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