The convenience store in Pant has been listed as an Asset of Community Value by Shropshire Council.
Following the announcement that the Co-operative Group was selling its store to rival McColl’s, an application was made by local residents to have the shop listed as a valuable asset to the village and community of Pant.
The Council has confirmed its decision to list the shop, which means that the residents of Pant must now be given advance notice of any planned change of use which could result in the store no longer operating as a retail premises.
The convenience store, which also contains a Post Office, is used by locals on a regular basis and provides a vital service to the village. The application to have the shop listed was submitted to Shropshire Council in August by an informal group of Pant residents.
Shropshire Council have now confirmed the decision: ‘The nomination of the Pant Co-op as an Asset of Community Value is approved and the land will be listed accordingly. The details will be published on the list of successfully nominated properties. Subject to any appeal, the land will remain listed for the requisite period of time, 5 years. We will be notifying the owners accordingly.’
Pant shop joins Cross Guns in listing
The store now joins the village pub, The Cross Guns Inn, as being listed on Shropshire’s register of community assets, following its listing in 2015 – one of over 600 pubs listed as Assets of Community Value in England.
Shaun Fisher, who helped co-ordinate the application, said: “It is great news that the people of Pant have had their village store listed as an Asset of Community Value by Shropshire Council.
“Many of us depend on the shop, especially in winter, and it would be awful if it closed down. At least now the residents of Pant will get advance warning of any planned change of use which could result in the store no longer being a retail premises.”