West Dorset village shop celebrates a milestone (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)
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West Dorset village shop celebrates a milestone
11:00am Saturday 28th July 2012 in News By Anne Bell
WHAT AN ENTERPRISE: The launch of Thorncombe Village Shop with, from left, Peter Couchman, West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin and Roger Greaves
A WEST Dorset village shop is celebrating three years as a successful community venture.
The Thorncombe Village Shop is now run as a community enterprise with nearly 30 volunteers, including villager and west Dorset MP Oliver Letwin, who helps to run it alongside a small management team.
In 2007 the village was faced with losing the only shop for miles around when store owner John Currie retired.
It was through the determination of villagers that the business was saved with help from The Plunkett Foundation, a charity that promotes self-help amongst local communities.
Residents and the parish council borrowed £127,000 from West Dorset District Council to buy and reopen the shop.
Local author Sophia Moseley and artist Angela Delderfield have joined forces with the shop to sell their work.
Sophia said: “Introducing new lines and product ranges is essential to keeping the customer happy and a valuable way to support regional business.
“So when I asked the shop to add my children’s book The Adventures of Charlie to the product range, they were happy to join forces.”
The shop now boasts an internet café and sells regional produce including bread from the Evershot bakery, home-made cakes, a deli section, west country dairy products and fresh vegetables including those from nearby parish vegetable growers. A fishmonger also visits once a week.
