Colchester News
Mersea co-op meeting announced
2:29pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012
A MEETING has been arranged to encourage Mersea residents to buy a stake in their village amenities.
Peter Mann, chair of the Mersea co-operative, wants islanders to club together to take over the shop, post office, restaurant and ‘pick-your-own’ allotment.
The 20-acre site in East Road, East Mersea, has been put up for sale by owners Land Management.
Mr Mann will host a meeting at the MICA centre, West Mersea High Street, from 7.30pm on March 12 to try and attract more participants.
He said: “If all 7,000 people on Mersea put in just £150 we could buy it and have half a million left over to do stuff.
“I have ideas but we are far off putting in planning permission.
“What we really need is more people to sign up. The meeting will have forms to make a stake and we can discuss our ideas.”
It is on the market for £495,000 and Mr Mann fears it could be ruined by private investors.
The co-operative has already had £55,000 invested in it, including one £20,000 stake from a mystery islander.