A COMMUNITY enterprise in South Ayrshire is one step closer to buying a shop for the benefit of residents.

The Scottish Land Fund has awarded Barr Community Shop and Café Ltd £44,230 to help buy the building - the only shop in the parish, permanently.

The money will allow the community to buy the existing shop building, which is currently privately owned.

Most of the money pledged by the SLF will go straight into the purchase cost, with some of it used for solicitor’s fees, surveyor’s reports and other technical help.

A spokesperson from the shop advised that their efforts are not over yet.

Matt Cross, chair of Barr community Shop and Cafe said: “This support from SLF is absolutely game changing.

“Along with money already pledged by Carrick Futures, it puts us in a position where we have the resources we need to buy our building, after that we will be fund raising again for redesign and renovation.

“There are still issues to be resolved, discussions to be had with other village groups and challenging questions to be answered. I don’t want to give people the wrong expectation – while this support is very welcome and to be celebrated, the purchase of the shop remains some way off.”

Ayr Advertiser: Cafe Manager Kasia Kowalska gives the news the thumbs upCafe Manager Kasia Kowalska gives the news the thumbs up

Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “From places where people can come together, space to get outdoors and vital facilities such as shops and land for affordable housing, the Scottish Land Fund is once again giving local groups the resources they need in order to strengthen their own communities.”