A DENBIGHSHIRE village initiative has received a major Christmas present.
The doors of a 180-year old village shop in Llandyrnog will fly open once again to warmly welcome people after it received a share of money from the UK Government's Community Ownership Fund.
The shop will act as a community hub for the village and support people’s mental health with £200,000 in funding.
Llandyrnog resident Emyr Morris made an application for funding to purchase and develop the community shop in the village.
Mr Morris said: "We came up with this idea when the shop came up for sale in March or April.
"We had a public meeting at the end of May to gauge what people's thoughts were.
"The enthusiasm was brilliant and it was from there we had to go through all the legalities."
The initial public meeting came after the Post Office and the old shop building were placed on the market, and villagers were faced with the potential of also losing this service.
"What we have had in the past in the village is the village shop and post office," added Mr Morris.
"Obviously, part of what we had a vision for was to have a coffee hub there.
"It's not going to be massive, it's going to be set aside from the shop.
"It's combatting things like isolation and giving people a reason for a walk out.
"Even the shop on its own would do that, but let's make it a place for people to drop in for a cuppa.
"We want to make sure we have a hub of information for people.
"I would like to think we would have a notice board that would point people in the right direction.
"When you have got things like HSBC in Denbigh closing, the idea of keeping a post office is even more valuable now.
"I want to thank my fellow directors for the time and dedication to bring this project alive."
READ MORE: Plans for a return of Llandyrnog shop will be discussed
Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has welcomed the announcement and he said: “This is absolutely wonderful news.
"Emyr and his team have exciting plans for the shop and I am delighted that he will now be able to proceed with these thanks to the £200k they are to receive from the Community Ownership Fund.
“As well as enabling the purchase and reopening of the shop, the money will be used to install a cafe and create a hub for mental health and loneliness services.
“I am confident that the reopening and development of the Llandyrnog community shop will provide that sense of community, and that the facility will be a real asset to the village."
Llandyrnog councillor Merfyn Parry added: "This is excellent news for Llandyrnog community.
"It's the kickstart the village needs."
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