The shop and Post Office in Ashwater is due to close at Christmas. A steering committee has exam­ined the options available to start a community driven re­place­ment enterprise and they presented their findings at an ext­remely well att­ended public meet­ing recently.

The three key issues of a suitable site, funding and manning a replacement shop and Post Office were outlined and it was resolved to set up an action committee to progress matters as soon as possible.

A show of hands confirmed overwhelming support for both the need for a shop/Post Office in the village and approval for the parish council to explore funding assis­tance. The new committee will meet on November 20, to discuss creation of a formal constitution so that additional grant aid sources can also be approached.

A community shareholding scheme will be considered as well as the possibility of creating a paid shop management position, backed by volunteer assistance to help run the shop and a delivery service.

The meeting heard that there was a real possibility of continuing the Post Office Partnership Service subject to Post Office approval provided constitutional and staffi­ng matters could be resolved quickly.

Dawn Eckhart of the Community Council for Devon spoke about similar enterprises already started and pledged continuing support and guidance for the project.

David Fisher of the Plunkett Foundation addressed the packed hall and confirmed a constitution could be set up in a matter of weeks and it was even possible to get a shop up and running in less than two months, although this would be exceptional.

Devon County Councillor Barry Parsons thanked the steering committee for carrying out thorough research in a short space of time.

Referring to the strong element of community spirit that had achieved replacement of the parish hall, he indicated he was certain that same spirit would be applied to replacing the shop and Post Office.

Brian Lewens, who had chaired the steering comm­ittee, invited anyone interested in joining the new committee or helping with the project to contact him in the first instance.

He advised due to business commitments he would be unable to continue in the chair, but together with some members of the steering group was prepared to host the first action committee meeting and provide help where possible.