People in All Cannings are celebrating the reopening of its village shop thanks in part to Wiltshire Council using some of its share of the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) programme, which has supported communities to deliver meaningful local projects, including the transformation of All Cannings Community Shop.

All Cannings Community Shop has received £128,000 from the UK government through the Rural England Prosperity Fund.

Through the council’s Rural Hubs scheme, the grant helped rebuild the village shop, helping keep an important local service open for people in the villages of the Vale of Pewsey.

The previous building, made from second-hand portacabins, had severe structural issues caused by rot and could not be repaired safely or affordably. There was a real risk the village would lose its shop at short notice. With limited public transport in the area, the shop is an essential lifeline, especially for people without cars, and those who are frail or housebound.

The Rural Hubs grant enabled the community to move ahead with long-standing plans to rebuild. It funded the demolition, foundations and main structure of a new timber-framed building, helping the project reach its funding target.

Today, the new shop continues to provide essential groceries while also offering much more. It supports vulnerable residents with services such as home deliveries, offers a welcoming space for people who may feel isolated, and acts as a central hub for village life, sharing local information and bringing people together.

The project has also boosted community pride and involvement, with new volunteers stepping forward and renewed optimism about the shop’s future.

Cllr Helen Belcher, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “This is a great example of how funding like the Rural England Prosperity Fund can make a real difference to our communities. The redevelopment of the All Cannings Community Shop means residents can continue to access the village shop while also benefiting from a welcoming space that serves as a central hub for village life, bringing people together and supporting the Vale of Pewsey.

“Through Our Wiltshire Plan, we’re working to make the economy work for everyone by backing local projects like this. Supporting community-led schemes and small businesses helps ensure investment reaches the people and places that need it most.”

Peter Cooper, part of the project team for All Cannings Community Shop, said: “This project has given the village something to be truly proud of. The shop is a vital lifeline for local people, particularly for those who are older, frail or unable to travel easily, and it plays such an important role in everyday village life. The new building has lifted the mood among volunteers and the wider community, and there is a genuine sense of pride in what has been achieved. After some real setbacks and a significant funding gap, the Rural Hubs grant got us over the line and helped turn a long-held ambition into reality.”

This project is one of many delivered through the council’s 2025/26 Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) programme, which has supported a range of rural initiatives and helped communities achieve ambitions that may not otherwise have been possible. The REPF programme was time limited and has now come to an end.