Warwickshire News Mine

Celebrated local author Rosie Goodwin will be joining the launch party on Tuesday at Bedworth Heath Leisure and Activity Centre.

Rosie has now had several books published, but received instant national recognition for her first novel ‘The Bad Apple’, which within weeks of going on sale had sold out on the Amazon website, plus 2,500 copies were ordered by a single book club, pushing the book straight into the top ten.

The new shop has become a reality thanks to funding from Coalfields Regeneration Trust – Bridging The Gap, and Warwickshire County Council – Building Sustainable Neighbourhoods.

Work is now complete on the shop at Bedworth Heath Leisure and Activity Centre, 181 Smorrall Lane, Bedworth, which also incorporates a supporting volunteering scheme allowing adults with learning difficulties to be among the volunteers that work in the shop.

Cllr Chris Saint, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: “This shop is a great venture for the local community, both for those visiting and those volunteering. The supporting volunteering scheme at the shop means adults with learning disabilities can learn vital skills in such areas as budgeting, time keeping, independent travel, and increasing their confidence.”

The shop hopes to generate income towards the running of the community centre.  The centre is independent and receives no statutory funding towards staff or running costs, it is owned, run and managed by a team of volunteers from the Bedworth Heath area.

Karen Smith, Chair of the Management Committee, said: “The shop looks lovely, the fitters that did the installation were really helpful and listened to our ideas. New volunteers are looking forward to working in the shop.

“We would like to thank all those who supported the centre in this project and the local community for being understanding during the inconvenience caused while the refurbishment took place. If you have any donations and unwanted Christmas presents the shop will be pleased to take them off your hands.”

Karen added that if anyone is able to offer a few hours to help in the shop or if they would like to be part of the Management Committee they can develop or share skills while helping to support a worthy local charity. Contact Karen Smith at Bedworth Heath Leisure and Activity Centre on 024 7636 2512, for more information.

The development has been made possible by £9,874 worth of funding from The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, and a further £2,000 from Warwickshire County Council – Building Sustainable Neighbourhoods.

Link to WCC