A FORMER Church is on track to become a village hub and cafe thanks to the determination of local villagers from Ilmington.

The investment of 347 community shareholders, mostly villagers, helped the village cooperative raise £186,260 in just four weeks last summer.

This was match-funded with a grant of £135,00 from the Department for Communities and Local Government fund. Help was also given by the Plunkett Foundation.

By the end of April the community-owned shop should be up and running with a cafe adding to the amenity during the summer.

Enthusiasm for the project, which brings a shop back to Ilmington after two-and-half years, has not abated during the lengthy purchase process for the building which, before it was St.Phillip’s Church, was the local Catholic school.

Villagers of all ages are offering their services as volunteers to run the new venture. The shop committee is now advertising for a manager to run the shop and coordinate the work of the volunteers.

Chairman of Ilmington Parish Council, Jan Sherwood, said: ‘‘I am delighted that this well-loved building, which has played such a significant part in the life of the community, will once again be a focal point of village life. Speaking on behalf of the parish council, we believe the new shop will be a welcome addition to the village, helping to serve the community not only as a provider of goods and services but as a highly valued social hub."

The community shop committee is embarking on the process of renovating and converting the building and is drawing on the expertise of people from the village who are giving their time.

The new venture aims to support local suppliers wherever possible and the venue - adjacent to the Ilmington Downs - and the group hopes it proves popular with regular walkers to the village who congregate on the upper green.