An ambitious plan is being hatched for people living in Coalville to take over a former supermarket site in their town centre on behalf of the wider community.
The Central England Co-op store, which shared its premises in Bridge Road with Iceland Foods, shut its doors earlier this month after several decades serving the town and surrounding area.
The move was part of a series of closures affecting eight stores in the city and county - including five supermarkets in Leicester and stores in Croft and Glenfield.
But while the society confirmed it had entered into agreements to sell seven of the stores, its Coalville site is the only one without an agreed sale to another company.
Deana Wildgoose, of TH!NK FC, a co-operative community interest company based in North West Leicestershire, believes this presents a “unique opportunity” to create something important for the town.
“We’ve worked with Central England Co-op on a variety of community projects in the area over the years,” she said.
“Although the store will be very much missed, this could be a unique opportunity for the people of Coalville.”
Deana has set up a group, with the help of some residents and former customers, to explore the site’s potential.
She said: “The immediate aim is to create a Coalville C.A.N (Communities and Neighbours) CBS (community benefits society).
“A Facebook group has been launched and we are looking into setting up a legal structure to register as a new CBS.
“Anybody can become a shareholder and the new society could have charitable tax status.
“It will also make it possible to investigate and attract different sources of investment, including lottery funding and help from the Landfill Communities Fund.
“In the meantime, we are calling on community groups, residents and volunteers to get involved and pool our ideas.”
The store space is about 100 sq m, while the site measures about 2.7-acres.
Deana said: “The potential is huge. We want to keep the building and ensure the site is used for the maximum benefit of the town.
“What is absolutely apparent, just speaking to people, is they don’t want to see a faceless housing development.
“They’d prefer the site to be something that continues to benefit the wider community.”
She added: “The initial response has been very encouraging and, importantly, people believe it’s possible.”
Ideas, so far, range from business space for small community companies to building an Olympic-style climbing wall.
Parents from nearby primary schools have also expressed an interest in developing a soft play area for children.
Deana said there had also been “significant interest” in setting up some kind of community boxing and mixed martial arts club.
“The possibilities are far-reaching.”
The store closed its doors for the final time on Thursday, March 12.
The next 48 hours saw - prior to the nationwide coronavirus lockdown - up to 30 volunteers, including Central England Co-op’s regional director Paul Dennis, helped remove and store useful fixtures and fittings.
Deana said: “The Co-op allowed us to help ourselves and rescue as much useful stuff as we could once the main stock had been moved.
“That included things like shelving, chairs, tables, trolleys - plus all the equipment from the in-store cafe and kitchen, including cookers, fridges and freezers.
“The big thing for us is they agreed to leave the cafe alone so we could take out the fixtures and fittings.
“Our plan is to reestablish the cafe as soon as possible.”
Items rescued from the store are being stored in Coalville Indoor Market, with the permission of North West Leicestershireshire District Council.
Much of it has already found a new home, for a donation, with other equipment going to young people’s groups in the area.
Deana said the success of the whole venture depended on people getting behind it.
“That’s absolutely crucial,” she said.
Based on people’s ideas, a report will be sent to Central England Co-op for consideration.
“We hope to demonstrate the viability of the project and show how it can be sustainable in the long term,” said Deana.
A spokesman for Central England Co-op said: “Following the closure of our Coalville store, we were delighted to continue our links with the local community by donating a range of valuable resources from the store to support the great work of groups and charities in the local area.
“With regard to the future of the site, we are looking forward to receiving proposals from various parties with a view to securing a positive outcome for Coalville town centre.”
To have your say visit the Coalville C.A.N CBS page on Facebook, or call Deana on 07974 260453.
