AN AWARD-winning community shop has announced the appointment of a new manager. 

Jo Anderson has taken the reigns of The Green Gram, on Fordingbridge High Street.

Ms Anderson will be employed for three days a week as the Green Gram’s Business Manager to deal with the myriad of back-office functions that the ever-expanding business requires.

All those serving in the shop (including Jo on a Saturday!), will continue to be unpaid volunteers.

Helen Harding, Treasurer of The Green Gram, says: “Since our successful move to the new larger, accessible premises on Fordingbridge High Street, the Green Gram’s sales have increased by over 100 per cent and things look set to further improve.

"The expansion has increased the pressure on volunteers who have coped brilliantly but the committee felt it was right to have a paid co-ordinator to support both volunteers and customers. Jo has been involved with The Green Gram from the offset so has a fantastic knowledge of both customer requirements and the logistics of running a busy shop!”

In addition to this, Committee member Wendy Reid is beginning to reach out to schools and local groups to raise environmental awareness. If you are interested in being more involved with The Green Gram, please contact us by emailing team@thegreengram.org, ringing 01425 837600 or calling into the shop.

Helen adds: “2023 was an amazing year for us and we are looking forward to going from strength to strength in 2024.”

Since opening in May 2022, The Green Gram has been offering refills of foods, cleaning products and toiletries. Its customers have prevented nearly 38,000 containers equivalent to nearly 850kg plastic being thrown out by refilling the containers they already owned.