Thursday April 2nd 2026
Cockburnspath Community Shop opened its doors in June 2021 and villagers have since supported the venture enthusiastically.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Villagers in the Borders are taking stock with a bid to extend the lifespan of a popular community shop.
Cockburnspath Community Shop opened its doors in June 2021 and villagers have since supported the venture enthusiastically.
It is located at the heart of village, beside the village hall, and now an application has been submitted to Scottish Borders Council to extend the Callander Place outlet’s lifespan for a further five years,
Planning permission was last extended in 2023 for a further three years.
A report with the application, from Cockburnspath Community Enterprise, states: “The past five years of operation indicate that we can be positive about the shop’s future sustainability including the cost of paid staff – currently a manager, an assistant and local teenagers, all on a part-time basis.
“Customers have become used to the new location of the shop in the village, and its proximity to the village hall, primary school, play area and football pitch works well.”
A Community Action Plan was published by the village’s community council shortly after the shop opened, having been delayed by the Covid pandemic.
Extensive consultation was carried out which, as well as indicating a strong wish to have a shop again in the village, has subsequently seen a marked increase in activities in and around the village.
The report adds: “It also sparked ideas about the future of the area around the shop and hall as a community hub and discussions took place to explore this further.
“A number of groups were involved in the process and an architect was appointed to produce plans for a combined shop and hall.
“Due to changes in village hall governance however this process was put on hold and has only recently been restarted.
“Until a plan has been properly developed retention of the shop in its current position would be beneficial and we would therefore like to apply for an extension to the current planning for a further period of five years.”
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