WANTAGE and Grove residents are being invited to suggest how best to use the new town community shop.

The unit at 15 Mill Street opened on December 6, the town’s Dickensian evening, after six weeks of volunteer renovation.

Now renamed The Mix, it is being run by not-for-profit group Sustainable Wantage and is available for local groups and organisations to hire, and host workshops, fundraising activities and recycling initiatives.

Wantage Town Team co-ordinator, Mim Norvell, who is leading the project, said: “We are already planning a series of workshops where people with craft and practical skills can pass them on to others.

“We will be a showcase for the artistic talents of young people at King Alfred’s Academy, plus there will be a focus on creating connections in the community and resource-sharing.

“We are very open to suggestions from local community groups, organisations and charities about ways they can make use of the space.”

Anyone with ideas or queries can email Mim Norvell via mims@talktalk.net.

Offers of volunteer time and small household items for the resource-sharing area in the space are welcome.

The initiative is the latest from the town team as part of a town vitality project being driven through the town’s Joint Economic Forum.