An open day to present plans on a new community shop for Harrowbarrow and Metherell raised just under just under £10,000 in donations and pledges to buy shares.

The drop-in event held on November 8 was to raise awareness of the plans to establish a community shop in the grounds of the village hall. The current shop which has been run by postmaster and postmistress Adrian and Mandy Parkes for 25 years will be closing in July next year as the couple retire. There has been a community shop in the village for over a century. 

The community of the two villages are planning to establish a community shop in the grounds of the village hall. School children came to join in and sketch out what they thought the shop could look like.

The Harrowbarrow and Metherell Community Shop project open day showcased the plans for the shop in the grounds of the village hall. (Picture: Karen Bennett)
The Harrowbarrow and Metherell Community Shop project open day showcased the plans for the shop in the grounds of the village hall. Picture: Karen Bennett. ( )

Earlier in the year, parish councillor Tracy Ledger secured a grant from Calstock Parish Council of £1,000 to get the scheme off the ground. The group is also talking to UK charity Plunkett UK which supports community businesses.

Community shop committee chairperson Karen Bennett said: “The success now relies on a successful share offer in February 2025, and villagers and others are being asked to pledge to buy whatever they can afford from £10 to £2,500, along with successful grant applications; this will hopefully mean we can open as the old shop closes.

“We would like to thank everyone for their input so far, it’s been a real community effort."

£60K needs to be raised in total to fund the community shop project.

Fundraising events are planned for the next months including a tabletop sale on November 24 from 10.30am to 2pm, with tables bookable via the Harrowbarrow shop website; and a Holly Jolly family social event on December 14 hosted by the village social committee.

Plans for the Harrowbarrow and Metherell community shop are progressing quickly with a share offer planned for February next year. The old community shop will close in July 2025. (Picture: Peter Bellenes)
Plans for the Harrowbarrow and Metherell Community Shop are progressing quickly with a share offer planned for February next year. The current village shop will close in July 2025 when the owners retire. Picture: Peter Bellenes. ( )

The Harrowbarrow and Metherell Community Shop Group meet once a month and are looking for help specifically with fundraising events and managing activities.

The group can be contacted at [email protected] and via their website at https://harrowbarrow-and-metherell-community-shop.sumupstore.com/

Donations to the project can be made here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=4PSKMEVLSNRP4