DEDICATED villagers have reopened their village shop after a two year campaign.

The campaign for a new community shop for Lower Broadheath launched after the closure of a previous shop and Post Office in May 2017.

After a long battle, the campaign group managed to raise enough money to buy and fit out a shop in a brand-new portable building, which is situated in the garden of The Bell Inn.

The location was chosen as it is in the centre of the village, just across the road from the old Post Office.

Funds were raised for the project through a community-owned enterprise with 350 stakeholders subscribed to Lower Broadheath Community Shop Limited’s share offer, netting £39,860.

Grants from The Big Lottery Fund Awards for All and the Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation, with backing from the Post Office, helped double that total to almost £80,000.

Earlier this month, the shop reopened, and is now being run almost entirely by 70 volunteers, with one part-time manager. The good news for the group continued when, after only being open a week, a Food Standards inspector carried out a surprise visit and awarded the shop a top grade of five stars.

A statement from the group said: “The all new shop and Post Office is now open for business.

"The interior layout is bright and inviting, with attractive wood shelving displaying a wide range of fresh, chilled, frozen and canned foods, general convenience goods, wines and local beers and ciders.

"Quality free range meats are supplied by well-known local producers, eggs come from a farm near Hallow, the milk from Cleobury Mortimer, bread from local bakeries.

"The shop features a sunny community area at one end, with comfortable tables and chairs where customers can sit and chat whilst enjoying complimentary tea or coffee. The first impression of those coming in for the first time is ‘wow, this looks terrific.’"

The shop is open from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, with reduced hours at weekends. The Post Office is open between 10am and 3pm.

An official opening is planned for later in the year.

The shop is keen for more volunteers, who are able to offer a few hours a week or month. Anyone interested can email info@lowerbroadheathshop.com.

READ MORE: Lower Broadheath Villagers raise £39,000 to move new village shop a step closer