First village store to open in Dorset for over 40 years

Dorset has lost many of its rural shops and post offices in recent years but Witchampton will buck the trend with its new village store.

The shop, which opens on Saturday 4 April, is believed to be the first to do so in the county for over 40 years.

The tape will be cut at 10.30am by Mrs Ruaidhri McDonaugh, in her first duty as the newly appointed High Sheriff of Dorset.

The shop is located inside the Witchampton & Crichel Club building which has been transformed in an ambitious modernisation project, providing an attractive setting with shop lock-up premises and better access and facilities for people with disabilities.

The Vale of Allen Rural Association (VARA) has established the store with the help of kind donations, the following grants, and a loan:

•     £30,000 from fundraising events organised by the local community
•     £30,000 match funding the above, by Crichel Estates Ltd
•     £10,000 donations from residents and businesses
•     £10,000 East Dorset District Council
•     £10,000 Plunkett Foundation and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation*
•     £10,000 The Co-operative Loan Fund*

The new Witchampton Village Shop will be run by volunteer residents and friends from local communities, and will offer a wide selection of produce and newspapers to suit all tastes. A coffee snack bar will follow once the shop has become established.

VARA is a non-profit mutual society whose objective is to enhance community wellbeing. Its Chair, Cllr Tim Palmer, explains: “People have come together to set up and run this local shop, which will become the focus of life for members of communities over a wide area.

I would like to thank everyone who has contributed towards making this possible”  

Ian Rothwell of The Co-operative Loan Fund says: “To those outside of rural communities, it can be difficult to understand the importance of a local shop but they really are vital to small communities. Often, they provide much more than food and goods as they serve as a meeting hub for local residents and help create cohesion among communities, which is why we’re so keen to support them.”

The shop will be open on weekdays from 8am–6pm, with a middle day break, and mornings only on Saturdays and Sundays.