2019 is shaping up as an exciting year for the volunteers of Benarty Community Shop after the venture won a major award last week.

The venture only opened their doors for the first time in June 2017 at their Benarty Square base, in Ballingry, but in that short time they have built up a 35 strong volunteer force which ensures that is able to open every day and become an effective community hub in Benarty.

And their impressive results saw them able to donate two £5,000 to community projects in the area covered by the villages of Glencraig, Lochore, Crosshill and Ballingry.

It all added up to the performance persuading the judges of the Tay Cities Social Enterprise Awards to give the 2018 Start-up category to Benarty Community Shop.

Shop manager, Lorna Bett, and some of the team, along with Michael O'Hare, of the management committee, headed for Dundee to collect the award a special presentation night.

Said Lorna: "It was a real surprise and a big boost for everyone connected with the project.

"It has been a real community project from start to finish. When we were getting the premises prepared for opening it was amazing the support we got from the public with tradesman volunteering to help set everything up and they did a brilliant job.

"Meanwhile the long line of fabulous donations started coming from the community which has continued and gives buyers a lot of quality material to purchase."

The Community Shop has a team of 35 volunteers and every single person is a volunteer, from Lorna and her assistant Marie, to the newest recruit and their involvement with the project has made a real difference to everyone involved.

Added Lorna: "The volunteers all talk of getting a huge boost to their conference from being involved in working in the shop and through it several have moved on to new jobs and training.

"It really is heart warming to see how much being involved with the community shop has helped people."

And this year they shop is to be extended into the next door former post office facility at Benarty Square.

Explained Lorna: "The committee has taken the decision to use the adjoining premises that have become available and that will allow us to have extra storage space, and space for a small furniture facilit, household department and a coffee shop.

"We are hoping that the coffee shop could become a sort of popular hub facility and it is the next successful chapter in the story of the community shop."

Work will be continuing on the next door premises, which is linked to the current shop, and an April opening is hoped for.