A community re-use hub nicknamed ‘Motown’ will soon be bringing the soul and spirit of sustainability to Moretonhampstead.

It’s being set up by Proper Job, who run Chagford’s Resource Centre and Uptown vintage shop - both treasure troves of donated second-hand items on sale at affordable prices for re-use or repurposing.

This saves people money, and saves reusable items from being thrown away and ending up in landfill.

The Proper Job team have known for some time that Moreton residents wanted a similar facility, so when a former newsagents shop in Court Street became available, they leapt at the opportunity.

A crowdfunder was launched with an initial target of £15,000 to get the project off the ground. The response showed the level of support in the town; an anonymous wellwisher provided £6,000 and a further £9,800 was pledged in just eight days.

The Proper Job team now hope to have ‘Motown’ open before Christmas – possibly by mid-November.

Alison Sallis from the team said: “We’ve had a lot of interest from people wanting to volunteer at the shop - it’ll be fun to harness that enthusiasm and get them on board.“

The ‘Motown’ shop will give local residents a convenient place to donate reusable items, buy affordable second-hand goods, volunteer, learn new skills and meet other people.

Some of the income will be invested in environmental and community projects.

The shop will also support those in need, giving essential household items free of charge to people struggling to make ends meet.

While the initial fundraising target has been achieved - enabling Proper Job to get the shop ready and meet the start-up costs - the team are still looking for extra cash for fixtures and fittings, and a contingency fund. Donations can be made via the Proper Job Moretonhampstead Community Reuse Hub Crowdfunder page .