A COMMUNITY’S bid to purchase their local store – for the good of the area – has been put on ice, as organisers say they need to step back and consider alternative options.

The Advertiser reported last month how a community enterprise in the village of Barr was awarded £44,230 to help buy the only shop that exists in the area.

However, it has now emerged that proceedings have paused to enable discussions to take place between Barr Community Shop and Café (BCSC) and the Barr Community SCIO.

A spokesperson from BCSC said they wanted to discuss the possibility of relocating the shop to the village hall.

The spokesperson said: “We realise this may be a disappointment to members and customers who were expecting to see the shop move rapidly towards a purchase and renovation, however we feel it is fair to give the leadership of Barr SCIO this chance and to allow parish residents to look at the future of the village as a whole.”

Any decision needs to be taken quickly, with funding secure so far at risk of lapsing.

“Regrettably, much of the funding awarded to the shop may now lapse and we are making efforts to have it extended so that it remains available in the event of the asset transfer not moving forward,” added the spokesperson.

“We remain absolutely committed to finding a long term sustainable future for the shop and to protecting the jobs of our staff and the services we provide including the village post office.”

A spokesperson from Barr SCIO said: “[We] are delighted to receive the support of BCSC directors and are pleased that a collaborative approach to the community development is being taken.”

They say that a community-wide consultation will be launched in the coming months on the village hall developments.

“The SCIO trustees look forward to working with the community shop and other comunity organisations to develop proposals with the aim of securing the best and most suitable outcome for the whole community.” Added the spokesperson.