EAST Morton Community Shop opened its doors for Community Business Weekend.

Volunteers who run the shop wanted to help raise public awareness of the 8,000 community businesses across England.

The shop, in a building converted from East Morton’s former public toilets, launched two new product lines during the national celebration.

One was a locally-crafted gin from Haworth and the other was a small selection of artisan cheeses from a local supplier.

Richard Tassell, chairman of East Morton Community Shop Management group, said the launches showed how small businesses could work together.

He said: “This little shop is a small enterprise but hopefully will have a big impact. It is a volunteer-led business, opened for the benefit of the community.

“We have only just opened but we would like to thank all the small and independent local businesses that have supported us along the way, and celebrate that we are proud to be contributing to our local economy.”

Local people were able to visit the Main Road shop during the weekend to learn about its work, and how anyone could become involved in volunteering or work experience.

People were also able to buy community shares in the business or simply buy the local produce on sale.

Mr Tassell said Community Business Weekend was organised by independent trust Power to Change and offered a unique opportunity for local people to get involved in the growing community business movement.

He added: “Much of our funding for research, training and management development came through an award from Power to Change (Bright Ideas).”

Vidhya Alakeson, chief executive at Power to Change, said the beauty of community business was that anyone could set one up or become a valued customer.

She said: “One of our core priorities is to help communities to harness the skills, leadership and entrepreneurialism that already exist at the local level.

“Community Business Weekend is a great way to both celebrate and uncover the skills that can bring vibrancy and economic growth to local areas.”

Community businesses are organisations rooted in a local area, run by and answerable to members of the community.

They range from skate parks to libraries, tea rooms to vineyards, and have a combined market income of £1.2bn in England, according to recent research. Community businesses in England also employ 33,600 paid staff and 125,200 volunteers.

Community Business Weekend is an opportunity to showcase what’s possible when local people take control and demonstrate their value to the local economy and society.

Visit the East Morton Community Shop page on Facebook to find out when the community shop will next be open.