Island’s co-operative bid to save land
9:20am Tuesday 13th December 2011 in News
A SHOP, restaurant, post office and allotment threatened with closure could be taken over by residents as a community co-operative.
The 20-acre site of the businesses in East Road, East Mersea, has been put up for sale by owners Land Management. It is on the market for £495,000.
A team of islanders is trying to encourage members of the community to become stakeholders to keep the businesses in local hands.
If successful, the co-operative would take over the running of the village shop and surrounding amenities as a non-profit making organisation.
Peter Mann, chairman of the stakeholders committee, said: “We see this as an ideal opportunity to give something for the people of Mersea – a service without it needing an absentee landlord.
“We are looking for people who are community-minded to join the co-operative.
“We have 20 acres, and a lot of vegetables could be grown on that land.
“Anything could be sold in the shops, and I know we have a lot of creative people with crafts and other things.”
The group has held a public meeting, but residents want more information before committing to the idea.
A team of solicitors is looking through the property details and business leases to create a more detailed report.
A second meeting will be held in early 2012.
Linda Roberts, leaseholder of the village shop for the past three years, is backing the scheme.
She said: “If the co-operative fails, we could lose the shop.
“An investor could buy it all up and do what they want with it.
“We are letting the people of East Mersea know about it and getting feedback.”
Each stakeholder can buy up to a £20,000 share, allowing them a vote on committee decisions.
The scheme has been backed by community organisations Village SOS and the Plunkett Foundation.
Mr Mann is looking for declarations of interest from residents or businesses.
For more information, call 01206 383224 or e-mail jandp This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it