A THRIVING community shop is set to expand further thanks to a £10,000 grant from the Prince's Countryside Fund.

The Duloe Community Shop opened in 2011, starting out in what is now the shop's stockroom, said manager and postmaster Jim Eames.

'With funds from SITA and the East Cornwall Local Action Group, we were able to open our new larger shop, and we've gone from strength to strength since,' he said. 'We were lucky to have a private visit from Prince Charles during his time in Cornwall, and he liked what he saw here. We are very grateful for this money from the Prince's Countryside Trust, which will enable us to extend our stockroom.'

The community shop is open seven days a week and is staffed by a rota of around 15 volunteers, said Mr Eames.

He says that the store responds to suggestions from local residents on what it should keep in stock – and that the funding boost will enable the community shop to keep larger quantities of stock, as well as a greater variety of lines.

'We're extremely pleased with the support we've been given by the local community and the volunteers who help in the shop,' he continued. 'We thank the Prince's Community Fund for having faith in us – we're excited about the grant funding and looking forward to the challenges.'

The Prince's Countryside Fund was founded by HRH The Prince of Wales and is supported by various companies through Business in the Community. Since its inception in 2010, the Fund has invested £5 million in grants, distributed to 120 projects in rural areas across the UK.

'The aim of the fund is to ensure a brighter future for those who live and work in the countryside,' said a spokesperson.

'The funding awarded to the Duloe Community Shop is for the refurbishment and expansion of the shop's current storage facility. This will enable the shop to grow and fulfil its full potential.'

The Prince's Countryside Fund says it works to help those farmers and hard-pressed rural communities in greatest need, and also operates an emergency fund for times of crisis.