THE Wyeside village of Brockweir has high hopes of building its own village shop and community centre after its only village store closed over two years ago.
Alan Clarke, vice-chairman of the Brockweir and Hewelsfield Village Shop Association, said the plan was to create a new social heart to the village.
"When Triangle Stores was open I used to see people walking past my gate to get to it, but now there is nobody walking for there is nothing for them to walk to," he said.
As well as stocking much-needed provisions the plan was to create a small cafe and an upstairs community room with modern services.
There could also be a small library and space for outreach services such as the police, health care and tourist information as well as room to show local art and historical exhibits.
The association has won planning permission for siting a modern timber-framed Scandinavian-style building on the playing field owned by the village, and is actively looking for funds to take the project forward.
So far £25,000 has been allocated as a Community Services Grant through the Countryside Agency, but £250,000 is needed to carry out all the association's ambitions – no small amount for a little village.
"If words made shops we would be built by now," said Mr Clarke.
However the majority of the community was behind the scheme and he is "confident" of getting there in the end.