‘It’s a lifeline’: Cumbrian villagers raise £200,000 to save last shop

Kirkoswald residents to reopen last remaining store as a community business run by volunteers

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The village high street in Kirkoswald, Cumbria, was once home to shops including a butcher's, a greengrocer's and a shoe shop. Now just one remains: a small convenience store that has became the hub of village life during the pandemic.

After its owner, the local philanthropist David Hodgkiss, died of Covid in March last year, the shop was put up for sale and was destined for closure until residents stepped in. In just six weeks they have raised nearly 200,000 to purchase and run the shop as a community business, and hope the doors could reopen in just a few weeks, staffed by volunteers from the local area.