Pints of a different kind at pub shop
Last updated at 12:56, Friday, 08 March 2013
A village shop at Lorton has been resurrected – in the local pub.
The Wheatsheaf Inn, in Low Lorton, will house the new village shop from next Friday.
The village’s previous store, which closed at the end of January, was run by Sandra Eland for more than 40 years. She had to step down after suffering from ill health.
Wheatshead landlords Jackie Williams and Mark Cockbain, of Gilcrux near Maryport, said it had always been their dream to open their own shop but they did not want to do so while there was already one in the village.
Jackie, 50, said: “We never wanted to step on their toes but when we heard it was closing it pushed us into doing it.
“There are a lot of people in the village who rely on the shop, and since it closed it has been a big loss.
“It makes sense, especially as the pub industry is struggling, and other people who have done the same thing say it goes hand in hand.”
The pub has already got a licence for the new shop, which will be known as the Wheatsheaf Village Shop. It will sell items such as bread, milk and newspapers as well as local produce such as home-made jams and chutneys.
All members of staff who work at the pub will be trained to run the shop.
Jackie and Mark, 45, also sent a questionnaire to get villagers’ ideas about what they would like to see.
Jackie added: “We have had very good feedback and people are willing to support us.”
Christine Poate, chairwoman of Lorton Parish Council, said: “We are very sorry to see Sandra leave and it has been upsetting for a lot of people because the shop was a real focus for the community.
“She made the shop a tremendous asset for the village and we wish her well and we do the same for Mark and Jackie.
“We are delighted that they have offered to take on this valuable community resource.”
The shop will open from 8.30am to 4pm every day except Wednesday.
First published at 12:40, Friday, 08 March 2013
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk
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What a utter load of rubbish,how dare the papers report that Sandra has stepped down after 40 years of service to the village dont just right people off and make sure you get your facts right before you publish, the shop is temp closed and the Eland family is now looking to re-develop into a more modern building expanding its stock to include Alchol and light snacks, advice has been sort regarding re-development and all options are still open to the shop, very disappointed at the parish councils remarks in the above article and the village link magazine
Posted by Geoff Jones on 11 March 2013 at 16:32