ELDERLY residents in Luckington could be left stranded and without access to a nearby shop.

The only shop in the village, the Luckington Post Office Store, is closing at the end of August after being in the village since 1847.

The council are also reviewing rural bus routes in the county that they say are costing too much to subsidise, meaning routes such as the 41 – the only route that comes through Luckington – could be cut.

The shop’s current owners are retiring and have been looking to sell the shop without success for a number of years.

The shop is part of their house so cannot be sold off as an individual building and the village is looking for new premises to start up a community shop.

Councillor John Buckley, of Luckington Parish Council, said: “With the shop gone it leaves the vulnerable in the village out on a limb, as they have limited bus service already.

“If the shop goes and the council chop the 41 bus route, the only rural service through the village, there is no way for people who can’t drive to get anywhere.

“Are we really saying if you can’t drive then you can’t get around in Wiltshire?

“The older ones who can’t access online shopping, what do they do?

“The nearest shop would be Sherston.”

The parish council are looking for alternative premises to start a new shop in the village, but without success.

“We’re struggling to find alternatives and are talking to local businesses,” continued Cllr Buckley. “But it’s difficult without the premises.”

More than 134 people took part in a survey in the village which identified the demand for a shop and that people would be interested in buying shares in a community shop.

A similar thing was attempted by residents in Oaksey 20 years ago, when their village shop was under threat.

More than 200 people now hold stakes in the shop and it is going from strength to strength.

“In Oaksey they could buy the premises,” said Cllr Buckley. “If you haven’t got premises it’s a bigger challenge.”

Judith Sykes, one of the owners of the shop in Luckington, said: “The villagers are having to come up with something that will hopefully suffice.

“We’re leaving it in their hands, the community will no doubt find a solution.”

Ollie Phipps, community engagement manager for the Malmesbury community area at Wiltshire Council, said: “The community have come together to search for a way forward for their village shop, it’s fantastic to see the enthusiasm of the residents.

“They’ve recently completed a survey which went out to over 130 villagers to listen to the wider community voice and understand what the modern day needs of people living in our rural villages is.

“From this they now need to look at financial and sustainable options for the future of a village shop or post office in Luckington.

“From the survey they not only got valuable input from local people but many people expressed their support in helping run a new community operated village shop.

“This process has shown real community reliance and has people coming together to achieve something that will benefit the whole village and surrounding areas.”

Speaking about the bus service consultation a spokesperson for Wiltshire Council said: “We’d like to thank everyone for their responses to the consultation.

“Those responses are now being analysed and a report will go to cabinet later this year for a decision.”