Community to take over bookshop

A bookshop is set to become the latest enterprise to be owned by a local community under plans to raise thousands of pounds to prevent its closure.

A group has been established in Crediton to raise £33,000 to help the only independent bookshop in mid-Devon move into community ownership.

Ken McKechnie, of the Crediton Community Bookshop, said: "We have been overwhelmed with the interest and support expressed so far and believe that the energy and enthusiasm of book-lovers, volunteers, visitors to the area and the wider community will secure this popular store for the next generation of readers and writers.

"Our main goal is to benefit the community by supporting local authors, promoting reading and literacy for all ages - with children's books a speciality in the new store - and provide a meeting place and focus for reading and writing groups."

Michael Fairclough, of the Co-operative, which is supporting the initiative, said: "Communities across the country, driven by needs other than to maximise profit, are turning to co-operatively-owned solutions.

"These enterprises are operated by a general public increasingly concerned for accountability, transparency and sustainability. Together, they are helping to address some of the unprecedented challenges facing our society and environment and making a significant contribution to rebalancing the UK economy."