A BID to save Cheriton Fitzpaine’s community shop has taken another step in the right direction.

The community shop opened in 2018 in a cabin on land adjacent to a now-defunct Methodist church, after the village’s post office and shop shut two years before.

Temporary planning permission for the cabin housing the community shop runs out in November, and the shop's lease in December 2027.

With the future of the shop under threat, villagers came up with a plan to raise funds to buy the old church, move the shop inside and open a cafe and multi-purpose hub.

Now, a purchase price has been agreed, with hopes the sale can be completed in April and renovation and conversion work started soon after.

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us so far in whatever way in this project to secure the future of our community shop,” said a spokesperson.

“Now the hard work begins!”

The church closed in 2024 due to a dwindling and aging congregation. The building is in a “poor state of repair” and has “major problems with practically everything” except the roof, a public meeting heard.

A community share offer, which opened in May and closed in October, raised as much as £106,100 from 224 supporters.

This sum, together with a grant of £50,000 from Cooperatives UK, means the church can be purchased and some of the refurbishments carried out.

An estimated £275,000 is needed for the whole project. More grant funding can be sought later.

“Not only will the purchase of the chapel retain a vital resource in the village, but it will also enable the creation of a larger shop together with a cafe, art/ craft space and heritage centre,” Cheriton Fitzpaine Community Shop Chair Mike Porter said previously.