A DEAL has been reached for a community group to buy Broughton's former village shop.

The Broughton Shop Development Group has been in talks over the past few months with representatives of former owner Rani Jolly.

And this week they announced that an agreement in principle has been reached.

Since the Village Shop closed in March, locals have faced 12-mile round trips for essentials.

The Broughton Shop Development Group has won overwhelming support from villagers during meetings and consultation events.

Christopher Lambton from the development group told us: "After protracted and detailed negotiations an agreement has been reached in principle for the group to buy the existing shop premises."

The Broughton Shop Development Group has already applied to the Scottish Land Fund for financial help in buying the premises.

And further fundraising will take place following a decision by the Scottish land Fund next month.

Mr Lambton added: "We will need to raise additional funds to complete the purchase which we hope to achieve in March.

"Until all funds are in place and a legal offer made, we should make it clear that our agreement is not legally binding, but both parties are keen that the deal should go ahead."

Over the festive period the Development Group will be transformed into the Upper Tweed Community Enterprise, which will be registered with the Financial Conduct Authority.

  • In an earlier version of this story, we reported that more than 60 locals had already bought shares in the planned store. We have been asked to point out that, although more than 60 people have pledged to buy shares, none have been bought yet. We apologise for this error and any confusion caused.