Service with a smile at the new Longborough village shop (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Service with a smile at the new Longborough village shop

9:57am Tuesday 10th November 2009 in News By Emma Tilley

RESILIENT residents in Longborough decided they would not see their local shop and post office shut forever – and took it on themselves.

The villagers fought to keep their cherished local shop, which was threatened with closure last year when the adjoining post office was shut down.

They immediately set up a committee and the enterprise has been entirely completed by the volunteer residents.

On Saturday the new look Longborough Community Shop opened its doors to its first customers.

Harry Taylor, chairman of the shop’s committee said: "Whilst I expected a transformation to the shop, I am truly overwhelmed by the standard of finish achieved and the ambience which has resulted."

The determination of the villagers to keep their shop was just one of the battles they have faced in recent years, such as the fight to keep the village school.

A café will now be housed in the shop and the post office will be welcomed back as an outreach service for certain times during the week.

Financial support for the project came from Plunkett Foundation and the Gloucestershire Rural Services Support Group.

Further advice and support was provided by the Rural Shops Alliance and Gloucestershire Rural Community Council.

Chris Cowcher from the Gloucestershire Rural Services Support Group said: "All credit must be given to the volunteers and community that have made this project happen – the alterations look fantastic.

"Community owned enterprises are a good practice example of how communities, both small and large, can empower themselves and maintain their own local services."