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Froxfield store given new lease of life by council

Monday 16th of February 2009

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A threatened village store has been given a fresh start after new owners backed by council funding took on the shop.

Howard Bevis and his wife have big plans for Froxfield Village Store, Dellfield, which was in danger of closing following the closure of its full time Post Office.

With the help of a £17,719 grant through a scheme aimed at supporting local rural businesses the couple plan to give the shop a makeover, diversify the store and add bed and breakfast accommodation.

Mr Bevis said: "This grant has enabled us to take the risk of taking on a village store, to improve it and provide much-needed bed and breakfast facilities. Personally, it has enabled our family to move into a beautiful village and lovely countryside."

The store was handed a lifeline thanks to The Village Community Grant Scheme, an initiative aimed at helping protect the future of everyday services and local shops in rural East Hampshire.

The grant funding consists of £4,985 from East Hampshire District Council and £12,734 from Hampshire County Council and regional development agency SEEDA.

With the funding the store will be modernised to provide more space and display, improved access, upgraded fittings, fresh baked goods and tea and coffee services.

Bed and breakfast accommodation will also be introduced, meeting a rising demand from visitors to the South Downs .

As a further service to the local residents, the new business will feature a local information point displaying local events and news and allowing small advertising at a very low cost to residents.

There will be a photocopying service at minimal cost and by introducing the facility to take debit card payments they will be able to offer a free cashback service, a useful facility in a village with no ATM.

Stafford Rhodes acted as the business consultants in the deal and has worked with East Hampshire District Council in retaining Froxfield Village Stores and other local village shops in the district.

Councillor Richard Millard, East Hampshire District Council's Portfolio Holder for Business Development, said: "It's fantastic to see a success story in such difficult economic times. It's great to see the business, the community and the council working together. This is an excellent example of a number of specific initiatives that the district council is pursuing to help our local communities and businesses to prosper."

Cllr Jennifer Gray, East Hampshire District Councillor for Froxfield and Steep, said: "I'm very pleased to see they are doing so well with the wide range of services they offer. I am delighted we could help them get this far and would like to wish them luck in the future."