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RESIDENTS of a small Mid Argyll community are battling to raise more than a quarter of a million pounds to save their ‘lifeline’ village shop from closure.
Despite being on the market for a year, no offers have been made for Tayvallich shop, post office and coffee shop, and owner Mo MacLaurin says she ‘can’t go through another winter’ running it alone.
A steering group has been formed to spearhead a bid to bring the business into community ownership – and they are currently awaiting the outcome of a vital funding application to the BIG Lottery Growing Community Assets fund.
Tayvallich Community Group chairman Peter Burrell said this week he is optimistic that the application will be successful, and if it is awarded in full, will represent a large percentage of the £280,000 required to purchase and develop the business.
Group member Jilly Wilson said the closure of the shop would be a huge loss to the village. She added: ‘There has been a shop here since around 1900. It is a lifeline for many people and a place of social contact.’
Mo MacLaurin, who bought the business three and a half years ago, said: ‘I would love to see a community buyout.
‘There is great community spirit in Tayvallich which has been proven by the fact that 78 percent of households have contributed to raising money to buy the business.’
Funds raised at Tayvallich Gala next weekend, will be donated to the ‘Save Our Shop’ fund. Andy Lees, chairman of Tayvallich Village Hall Committee, who organise the gala said: ‘The gala weekend normally raises sufficient revenue to cover 50 percent of the annual running costs for the village hall, and we are hopeful that this will be a bumper year given the significance of the beneficiary.’
