SHOPPING is set to return to Broughton.

The Tweeddale village has been without its own convenience store for the past year.

But this week a grant of £90,000 has paved the way for the purchase of the former shop by a community group.

Upper Tweed Community Enterprise (UTCE) has received the cash from the Scottish Land Fund.

Christopher Lambton, chair of UTCE, told us: “It is almost a year since the village shop in Broughton closed abruptly, leaving the village and Upper Tweed area without a key community resource.

"Since then, Upper Tweed Community Enterprise, has been working hard to secure funds to buy and run the shop as a community enterprise.

"It is not just the board of UTCE but the entire local community that will rejoice to know that we have secured such a generous grant award from the Scottish Land Fund.

“The sum awarded includes a substantial contribution towards the purchase of the shop and includes ringfenced funding for a staff position and essential repairs.”

The original village shop closed last March, resulting in the loss of five jobs and forcing villagers into a 12 mile round trip for basic provisions.

Previous owner Rani Jolly sold up due to a “desire to retire”.

The move prompted the community body, now UTCE, being set up to fill the gap.

They put in an application to the Scottish land fund at the end of last year and are delighted to hear it has been successful.

Upper Tweed Community Enterprise is one of seven groups across Scotland sharing in £706,126 of Scottish Land Fund cash.

Minister, Cabinet Secretary for Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham said: “Today marks an important milestone for the seven projects that have had funding approved by the Scottish Land Fund, enabling local residents to push on with their plans to acquire and develop vital local assets.”

A total of £66,500 of the Scottish Land Fund cash can be used towards the purchase price of the store, which has been agreed at £80,000.

And the remaining money will be used to assist with repairs to the building and the appointment of a professional shop development manager.

The UTCE is currently raising the balance to meet the purchase price through a community share issue and a further funding application.

Over 90 supporters of the village shop campaign have between them pledged almost £50,000.

It is understood that if everyone who has pledged buys their shares the UTCE will have sufficient funds to complete repairs to the building, buy new equipment, and then stock the shop.

Previously named the Broughton Shop Development Group, the UTCE is authorised to raise money for the project locally through a Community share offer.

Shares are set to to be launched on Monday, March 11 at an event in the Village Hall - and a pledge form can be found on www.broughtonvillagestore.co.uk

The position of shop development manager will be advertised shortly.