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11:15 GMT, Saturday, 11 July 2009 12:15 UK

Co-op toy shop reopens for trade

Busy Bee toy shop

A toy shop which was taken over by members of a south Manchester community after its previous owner retired has reopened for business.

The Busy Bee store on Wilbraham Road in Chorlton closed in January and was taken over by the co-operative.

More than 100 people who were saddened by its closure raised £32,000 to buy and run the shop, which had been trading in the area for 25 years.

It is believed to be England's first community-run toy shop.

Each member, regardless of the size of their investment, has an equal say in its running and will receive a small dividend after two years.

A professional manager is paid to choose the toys and run the shop, but much of the work - including the refurbishment - has been carried out by volunteers.

After a sneak preview for members of the community on Thursday, the shop was officially reopened on Saturday morning.




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Related to this story:
Communities saving cherished stores (10 Jul 09 |  UK )
Our pub's about to shut?!? (04 Mar 09 |  Magazine )
Villagers form shop co-operative (09 Jul 09 |  Bradford )
Pleas to help save village shop (07 Feb 08 |  Tayside and Central )
Rural pub's regulars toast buyout (14 Aug 05 |  South East Wales )

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