Fundraisers for a new community shop and cafe in an Oxfordshire village said they’re ‘incredibly proud’ of how people have come together, as work starts on the project.

Kirtlington, west of Bicester, hosted a ground breaking ceremony on April 10 to mark the start of construction of its brand new shop and cafe, after a five year fundraising campaign.

Locals came together after the village’s shop closed in 2020, and since then successfully raised £233,500 towards the £275,000 target funds needed for the project.

This includes £180,000 raised through a community share offer, meaning villagers have personally invested in the scheme.

Sally Nicholson from the Kirtlington Park Estate and chair Celia Hawkesworth ‘breaking ground’ on the project (Image: Amanda Deadman Photography)

Celia Hawkstone, chair of the committee which has lead the project, said: “We are passionate about introducing the community shop model here in Kirtlington, bringing an important legacy project to the village.

“We’re incredibly proud of how the community has come together over the past five years to fundraise.

“It’s a symbol of everyone’s commitment to our village’s future.”

She also thanked Plunkett UK, a charity based in Woodstock, which supports rural communities in setting up businesses and which has given the committee ‘invaluable advice’.

Work has started to build the Kirtlington Community Shop and Cafe (Image: Amanda Deadman Photography)

The new shop and cafe, designed to bring services ‘back to the heart of the community’, will be housed in a purpose-built, energy-efficient building next to the village hall.

It is expected to serve as a hub for residents, giving access to everyday essentials, strengthening community connections and championing local producers.

Construction will bring imminently and the community shop and cafe is expected to open in late summer.