Bigton shop nominated for national award

THE BIGTON Shop has been shortlisted for a national award celebrating rural community ownership.

It has been nominated in the People’s Choice category of the Plunkett Foundation’s Rural Community Ownership Awards, which are being held in London on 5 December.

The shop has enjoyed a new lease of life after going up for sale in 2012.

Rick Nickerson led the formation of a new management committee to allow the shop to open as a community enterprise, with three part-time adults and three young people employed there.

The shop also benefits from volunteers who give up their time to help out.

Staff says it is more than just a shop, with it also acting as a focal point in the community that can help reduce social isolation.

The community shop is also dementia friendly, while staff are also working towards being an autism friendly shop too.