THE only convenience store in a Cumbrian village is bustling only weeks after it reopened.
Kirkoswald Community Shop was set to close earlier this year, until locals stepped in.
They managed to raise £210,000 to buy and run the Bridge Street property as a community business.
Doors opened on July 1 and they have not looked back since.
Ruth Anderson, chair of the Kirkoswald Community Shop committee, said: "It’s been very busy.
"We are busy with local people and also tourists. The campsite in Kirkoswald is very busy and there are other tourists around.
"We’re busy getting stock in all the time and making sure the shelves are fully stocked. It’s a really nice atmosphere."
The village's Ravenbridge Stores was put on the market last year after the death of its owner, local philanthropist David Hodgkiss.
He had rescued the previous shop after its doors closed in 2009.
Most of the money used to buy the shop was raised through selling shares to villagers and people further afield.
There were more than 600 shareholders in total.
They also received grants and donations, with some coming from as far as Cyprus and the USA.
Ruth added: "I think the future is really positive.
"We have 20 volunteers and we’ve had some new volunteers coming forward to swell the numbers, which is really good.
"They're a great, lovely team, very conscientious and want the shop to succeed."
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