An organisation set up to regenerate deprived parts of Borehamwood is now looking to open a second shop to offer advice and services to the community.

Borehamwood Community Partnership (BCP) launched the Community Shop, in Leeming Road, three years ago to give residents access to support groups and services.

The shop is now the home of a community bank and the Equal Opportunities and Access Project, and hosts advice sessions for 14 different community groups.

Now BCP has set its sights on opening a new shop in the south of Borehamwood, and it says funding would be available if a suitable site could be found.

Community regeneration co-ordinator Derek Norman said: "The problem is we are trying to squeeze a quart into a pint pot we don't have enough space.

"In Leeming Road we are meeting the needs of that part of Borehamwood, but not those of people in the south of the town and we need a base there."

In 1998 BCP learned it would receive a £2.7million grant from the Government, over seven years, to spend on projects to benefit Borehamwood residents.

The Community Shop, which is funded through the grant, offers support and advice on issues such as money, benefits, health, housing and employment.

Borehamwood and District Credit Union, a community bank which gives people the chance to save and receive loans, was launched at the shop last year.

Among the many groups which run sessions there are the Youth Enquiry Service, Hertsmere Homeless Project, Age Concern and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Mr Norman said the shop was not big enough to display information on all the services, and that its kitchen was having to be used as a meeting room.

He suggested that, with two shops, one could be used primarily for office space and meetings, and the other could mainly be used for outreach advice services.

More than 5,000 people visited the Community Shop last year, although research showed that the vast majority of those lived within walking distance of Leeming Road.

BCP has asked the borough council to consider whether a new shop could be provided at either Furzehill or Hillside, the school sites which are to be re-developed.

However, if a suitable premises cannot be found, the organisation is prepared to look at offering its services in the south of Borehamwood from a vehicle.

Hertsmere Borough Council will soon begin talks with the county council, which owns the school sites, about the potential for building new community facilities there.

November 7, 2001 14:10

By MARK FOY