The new location of the shop was agreed to be built onto the Village Hall at the centre of the village, passed by the Parish Council, having agreed plans by designer Richard Long.

The total cost for the building and fitting of the Annexe was £69,622, and also needed at least £15,000 working capital.

In addition to a grant from the Plunkett Foundation and a commercial loan from the Co-Operative Community Finance, a further £8,760 was raised from Landfill Tax Credit (via the Village Hall), £6,275 from the NatWest Community Force (via the Village Hall) and £5,000 from the Village Hall reserves. The last incoming Grant was the NatWest one and so it was used that to build the pavement to protect Customers whilst queuing and bollards to keep traffic on the road.

The Plunkett model has Bonds which are £50 each and attract no interest, so are primarily a good-will loan to the community company. There was also taken out a few small loans from local organisations at negotiated interest rates of 1% above Base Rate. There was also a commercial loan taken out with the Co-op, used as proof that the project was commercially sound.

Help forthcoming from local companies was magnificent.  Aggregate Industries, Moreton Cullimore and Monier, and offers for painting from Will Wilson (Painter & Decorator) and from Neil McCallum for sign-writing gave the building project a well needed boost.

Superb support from a well-known national retailer that initially provided flooring, chillers, freezers and some fittings (thanks to Stuart Rogers) helped us to finally open our doors to the new premises in December 2011.

Our shop is now classified as a Registered Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 registered in England by the Financial Conduct Authority, No: 31034R.

We are always looking for new members. If you are interested in joining the team, email dave@ashtonkeynesshop.org.uk.