We have been working hard to source the funding we need to build the new store building. We have made really significant progress and have now received keen interest from two funds run by Babergh and Mid-Suffolk Council which would provide £200,000 in total. We have identified four other sources and started discussions with them. If we are successful this would raise a further £120,000. We would then add our own financial reserves to take us to the approximately £400,000 we require.

As a result we are now speaking with several building firms to establish the three formal tenders we require to formally make the grant applications. We also have a local firm of solicitors working on a “no charge’ basis to prepare the lease between the Village Hall and Shop that will also be required for the grant applications.

All in all this is great progress that means we could potentially “break ground” before the end of the year.