Alderbury Village Shop is set to reopen in November following a refurbishment that came about after a local survey gave the resounding reply: “Don’t take away our local shop”.

Last year the shop was on the verge of closure, but after it was saved by new ownership it has gone from strength to strength.

Megan Taylor bought the premises and successfully got planning consent to double the size of the shop, which she has rebranded as “Simply Fresh”. She said: “We are very excited to keep our village shop.

“We surveyed the whole village, asking them what they wanted, and have ‘Taylored’ the shop to suit.

“We’d like to thank everyone for their ongoing support while the refurbishments are taking place and look forward to inviting the village to its launch party.”

The shop will offer fresh bread baked daily, a deli counter and also have its own chef Carl Mooney.

Customers will be able to collect delicious home-cooked, wholesome meals to eat at home and home deliveries are planned too.

There will also be a free community herb garden outside the shop, which will be available to all.

Locals will be able to snip and take home herbs to complement their home cooking and the ingredients they’ve gathered from Simply Fresh.