A TEAM of volunteers today took over a West Somerset village shop and Post Office to keep it running after the retirement of the owners.

The Central Stores and Post Office, in Stogumber, had been faced with closure when business owners Roger and Anne Howe were unable to sell it and decided to retire anyway on April 1 along with PO Counters assistant Sharon.

Now, more than 60 volunteers will run Stogumber Shop and Post Office after responding to a community-wide call for help organised by the parish council.

Stogumber has had a retail outlet serving a wide rural area since the 1800s.

The army of volunteers is being led by a small steering group and aims to make the shop even more successful, maintaining links with existing partners and establishing new local suppliers and lines for economy and premium products.

As well as the expected grocery and household lines, the shop will stock an array of greetings cards and stationery, and other products such as firewood.

One new resident of a nearby village said: “It seems to be something of a Pandora’s box.”

“There is an astonishing assortment of things you need in everyday life - they even had hair bands for my daughter.”

A visiting relative said: “My mother phones the shop with a weekly order. Her prescription is delivered to the shop, too.

“The order is delivered by a lovely local lady. Mum prefers this to online ordering or going to town.”

Another resident said: “Having lost our local bank, the Post Office is just so easy for cash withdrawals and deposits.

“I do not know why I did not use it before, it is right on my doorstep.

“I do my all parcel returns there, too, it is just so much quicker than driving to town and queuing, and cheaper.”

Stogumber Shop is open seven days a week with new opening hours of 8 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm on weekdays and 8 am to 11 am at weekends.

The Post Office opens from 9 am to 12.30 pm on weekday mornings. 

Parking outside the premises means shopping is sustainable both for villagers and people passing through.