Villagers in Barham could have their own shop up and running by Christmas, with a post office service following shortly afterwards.

A not-for-profit company has been set up to get the project off the ground and an appeal has gone out to local people to become shareholders.

The Nailbourne Community Store Association has already received a £13,000 grant from county councillor Michael Northey’s members’ fund.

Association chairman Liz Minter said the cash injection would buy a temporary building which would be sited at the village hall.

Mrs Minter said: “We now need villagers to help finance the project by either becoming a shareholder for a minimum of £10 a share or by becoming loan note holders and agreeing to give an interest-free five year loan.”

Mrs Minter said it would cost an estimated £40,000 to get a fully equipped temporary building up and running as a post office and shop.

“We hope that the shop will be open before Christmas. Unfortunately we are in the Post Office’s hands as to when a postmaster is appointed.

“But in the meantime we have two existing postmasters who have very kindly offered to stock and run the shop for us as a temporary measure,” she said.

Longer term, the association is working towards providing a permanent building for the post office and store. This, if planning permission is granted, would be as an extension to the existing village hall.

Mrs Minter said the association was modelling its store on the successful Littlebourne shop with rent paid by the shopkeeper being ploughed back into the community and staff hired within the local area.

“Bridge Pharmacy will collect and deliver prescriptions to the shop. We are also planning to have a community desk there manned by volunteers who will deliver groceries to villagers unable to get there themselves.”

She said there was a real potential for the shop to become the centre of village life: “What we have to do now is make sure everybody uses the shop when it is here. It’s a case of use it or lose it.”

If Barham can raise £20,000 through loans and shares the amount will be match-funded by the Plunkett Foundation, a charity that promotes self-help in rural communities.

Mrs Minter said: “We can take out a £20,000 loan from the Co-operative Bank and we are also in the process of applying for grants.”

•To find out how you can help email nailbournecommunitystore@vfast.co.uk