Headingley Development Trust has notched up 650 members in just 18 months as it now reaches a crucial point in plans to create a new community centre and take over a local shop.
New members have joined from as far afield as Oxford and Ireland as the trust looks to finalise plans for a new arts and enterprise centre at the former Headingley Primary School and also a community buy-out of the Natural Food Store.
Both project
s need to raise around £1 million each. Share issues for both began in June and have already raised half the total needed for the projects.
Chair of the Trust, Richard Norton, said: "We are delighted that so many people agree with our vision of how to improve life in Headingley, and that they are prepared to put their own money into our projects.
"We need the other half now. It is never too late for people to send their cheques in."
HDT hopes enough equity will be raised through the sale of shares for the Natural Food Store to open, after a redesign and refit, at the end of August.
The proposal to take over the primary school, which is owned by the council, will be discussed at next month's Executive Board meeting.
The Trust also runs the successful Yorkshire Deli Markets which are held on the second Saturday of every month in the Rose Garden, North Lane, Headingley.
* To find out more about the trust and buy shares visit: www.headingleydevelopmenttrust.org.uk.
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