THERE is set to be one less empty unit in the centre of Amesbury as the town council is awarded money to open a community shop.

The council is to get a grant from Action for Wiltshire, a scheme that focuses on everyone working together to tackle the effects of the recession.

“We are very pleased,” said town mayor Roger Fisher. “For one it fills up a shop that is empty at the moment and makes it look a lot better, and also with this grant we think we may be able to do something with the décor of the other empty shops and brighten up the street appearance.”

Cllr Fisher said they already have people interested in using the facilities, and that the council is eager to decide a venue and get it open as soon as possible.

The new shop will provide a local access point for a range of public and community services, including job advice, health advice, volunteer group information and access to ICT.

It may also be used as a meeting place for community groups and a surgery for the police and town councillors.