Rural shops to receive cash boost

Twelve village shops in Gloucestershire affected by the closure of rural post offices are to get a cash boost.

Stores in Stroud, the Forest of Dean, Tewkesbury and the Cotswolds are being given grants of up to £5,000 from a county council partnership.

The aim of the scheme is to help the businesses become more profitable and increase their long term sustainability.

The shop managers will also be offered practical expert advice.

The Business Support and Enhancement Grant scheme was launched in July by the Gloucestershire Rural Services Support Group (RSSG) with funding from Gloucestershire County Council.

RSSG coordinator Chris Cowcher said: "It was impressive to see the amount of community partnership working that was evident in the applications.

"It wasn't just a case of a business applying to secure its own future but also that the community was interested in helping in whatever way it could."