After six years of planning and fundraising, Farmborough Community Shop will become a reality on Thursday, 25th January when two purpose-built modular buildings are being lifted into place behind Farmborough Memorial Hall by a 130-tonne crane.

Portakabin began constructing the buildings before Christmas at their manufacturing site in York, while local builder, Joe Hitchins, completed the groundworks in readiness for their arrival.

The Timsbury Road is due to be closed between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the works, with the modules being craned into position between 10 a.m. and midday. Additional works, including overhead power cable installation, will also be completed during the road closure.

Once the modules are in place and external building works complete, the shop will be internally fitted, a manager appointed, volunteers trained, and stock purchased. The community shop is due to open at the end of April/beginning of May, with a grand opening ceremony and celebratory cream tea afternoon.

The new community shop will be managed by a paid member of staff and run by volunteers from the local area. It will stock a combination of household essentials and occasional treats, including local alternatives that are not commonly available in most general stores or nearby super-markets.

By popular request, there will also be a seating area for shoppers and visitors to take a break or to meet up for a cup of tea/coffee and a slice of homemade cake.

In advance of the shop opening, a Farmers’ Market is being held on 25th February in Farmborough Memorial Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market will showcase local food from around the area, and everyone will be welcome to come along and provide feedback on items that could be stocked in the new shop.

Potential shoppers are also invited to complete an online survey: https://goo.gl/9LPHYz

about how they may use the shop; what they would buy, and to offer additional suggestions, while those interested in volunteering in the shop should email: [email protected]

Mark Swabey, Farmborough Community Shop Management Committee Chair, said: “The creation of a new shop in Farmborough has been a long time coming, and has only been possible thanks to the tireless work of the management committee, the support of local residents who have invested over £26,000 to become members of the shop, a grant of over £83,000 from the LEADER programme, and a donation of £10,000 from Blue Cedar homes.

“In total, £163,000 has been raised to build the shop, through grant applications, donations, events, and community funding.

“The committee would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported this project along the way, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to your new community-run shop in the spring.”

For more information on the new community shop or becoming a volunteer, call: 01761 470690 or email: [email protected]