DIY SOS star Nick Knowles will be cutting the ribbon at the new home of a community shop and café in Swindon.
A team of two staff and 28 volunteers have been running the not-for-profit start-up from Blunsdon’s Village Hall for 20 years to provide a supportive hub for the community, vulnerable neighbours, and other businesses like the Heart in Hand pub and Blunsdon House Hotel.
To celebrate its landmark anniversary in style, the shop will be moving to a specially-built site on Sams Lane which is valued at £50,000 and has been gifted to the area by Hayfield Homes as part of the new 70-home Hayfield Wood development.
After being worked on for the last four years, with TT Solutions Swindon sorting out the internal fixtures, opening day is now fast approaching.
A spokesperson for the shop said: "We are all very excited to finally get moving on delivering our new community shop.
"Isn't it looking fab? With the fixtures, some of our props and the tables and chairs in place, you can really imagine how it’s going to look when we open."
The hub's new home will be open from 8am to 5pm on Saturday March 25, with DIY SOS star Nick Knowles stopping by to cut the ribbon at 2pm.
In a video message sent to the team previously, he said: "It seems to me that, in the modern day, what you actually want is developments that don't only build in the community but with the community, and this is a shining example of how you can think these things through.
"Congratulations to all the people locally that have got involved with the process that has resulted in a very beautiful estate with an amazing building. It's the way of the future."
Nick Knowles, from Gloucestershire, is best known for his presenting roles on the BBC including DIY SOS as well as game shows Who Dares Wins, Break the Safe and 5-Star Family Reunion.
The shop will include an expanded product range, offering some high-end fresh produce, plastic-reducing environmental products, freshly baked bread, and a café.
The new shop will partner with local businesses to supply their goods, such as The Oxford Coffee Company, Sister Bakes, Four Seasons Fruiterers from Cricklade, and Nature’s Choice.
Craftspeople living nearby can promote and sell their products in-store, Uplands School pupils can have a safe working environment, and teenagers can receive help with their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
Sponsors including Community First, The Prestbury Cottage Trust and the Highworth Lions, as well as community fundraising support through shares, personalised block paving, and events such as a bingo night, have helped keep the shop going over the years.
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