The Village Shop

In the 1960's there were at least four shops serving the communities of St Mary Bourne, Stoke, Binley and the local hamlets. They have all closed over the years with the last survivor ceasing trading in 1998. For three years the Post Office was maintained in a resident's garage at The Mead.

The Parish Council responded to the village's expressed willingness to use a shop and support it financially. This was confirmed at a public meeting in 1999. Ron Heron was commissioned to design a new shop opposite the Village Centre on Parish Council land. Planning permission was obtained in April 2000 and Bullock Bros were employed to build it.

Building costs were £55,000 and the whole project to opening was budgeted at £90,000. Local people responded massively and £29,000 was given or loaned and almost 200 people became members of the St Mary Bourne Village Shop Association. Finance was secured through a number of grants and construction started in 2001.

In June 2001 Jeanette Barton was appointed shop manager and Sandra Grunsell started recruiting volunteer helpers. By August the building was finished and stock arrived from Londis for the shop to open on Monday 3rd September.

Support for 'The Village Shop' was magnificent from the start and turnover was near budget. The post office was fully integrated, the alcohol licence was obtained and the fresh baked bread became available. There were many orders for turkeys and meat for Christmas. By then turnover exceeded budget.

In October the Post Office was ram-raided! Nothing was stolen and the shop opened just a little late that morning. A few days later the damage was repaired (thanks to the Bullocks) and, thanks to Bill Noyes, Sub-Postmaster, the Post Office reopened after a week when there were queues.

By April 2002 the shop has many more lines of stock and is trading with a surplus. It supplies a village need and is a social centre for a large number of customers, but more are wanted. The shop is managed by Jeanette Barton and she is helped by two part time employees and a growing number of loyal volunteers.

The business will continue to provide a service to all, being open long hours, seven days a week.

Opening Times

SHOP

Monday to Friday - 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

- 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Saturday - 8:30 am to 1:00 pm

- 2:00 am to 4:30 pm

Sunday - 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

POST OFFICE

Monday to Friday - 8:30 am to 1:00 pm

- 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Saturday - 8:30 am to 12:00 pm

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This page was last edited on 9 Aug 2006