On 2nd February visionary volunteers from a village near York celebrated the opening of their new, accessible community shop. It secures the long-term future of their post office and only village shop in partnership with their Parish Council.
Over 100 people turned up to celebrate the formal opening ceremony of Huby & Sutton Community Shop by one of the shop’s oldest customers, Mrs New, with the help of the Chairman of Huby Parish Council John Corden, and Denise Howard OBE Chairman of Huby & Sutton Community Shop.
Chairman Denise Howard OBE said “our amazing volunteers keep our village shop open 7 days a week, and the trading surplus enables us to open our Post Office 6 days a week which we see as an essential community service for local people. We are growing village, and need local services that meet local needs.
Working with funders such as Hambleton District Council, Huby WI, St Monicas, Bernard Sunley Foundation, Easingwold Lions alongside private donations and our reserves saved from the last 9 years of trading, we have been able to improve access and facilities for customers and volunteers by building an entirely new shop in an adjacent building, using local trades and builders.”
Mrs New said “everyone should support this local shop, it’s fantastic and the volunteers are so helpful. As I’m not so mobile now I’m over 100, they help me with a weekly order and then deliver it to me. “
Chairman of Huby PC John Corden said “The opening of the new shop is a tribute to the members of the shop management committee, the volunteers and many others behind the scenes who have worked tirelessly to bring this project to fruition in the two years since we started. The Parish Council were able to source the funding, supported overwhelmingly by the people of the village, to purchase the building. The new shop ensures the facilities of the shop and post office remain available to people in Huby and the local villages. All in all this is a tremendous achievement.”