We are nearly there now!!!
Last week we had a visit from the Coop Bank which gave us, after some stiff questioning (well done Helen and Chloe!) the green light for the £20,000 loan. This also then triggers the £20,000 grant, so hopefully, within the next couple of weeks we should have our coffers tripled to £60,000. This is a truely remarkable effort by all involved, apparently these community schemes are normally fronted by retired solicitors and accountants, so we are quite an unusual committee.
The other piece of equally good news is that after a great deal of wrangling with Mole Valley’s planning department, our Landlord has agreed to give us the back room without any equivalent payback on the first floor. This is very generous of him and it has been a difficult few weeks for all of us, trying to understand the rationale (if any) of the planning department.
So, all in all, we are creeping ever closer to a successful renovation and opening of the shop. we hope to start the building work very soon, with a combination of paid work and volunteer effort. Anyone who would like to help, please let one of us know.
It’s fantastic news and, although we hardly dare believe it,it looks like we’re nearly there!
