A WEST Somerset village could lose its only shop and Post Office in three months’ time unless residents can come up with ideas to save it.

Villagers in Stogumber are being called to a public meeting on January 16 to discuss the situation after concerns were expressed by parish councillors.

Anne and Roger Howe have been trying to sell their Central Stores and PO for some months, having put it on the market for £385,000 with estate agents Webbers, but have not received any firm offer.

Now, they have decided to close the shop and retire on March 31 irrespective of a buyer being found.

Councillors were told the parish council did not have powers to run a business, but it would be able to award grant funding if a formally constituted community group was to do so.

The council also heard that Mr and Mrs Howe would consider leasing the premises with favourable conditions if a community-led initiative was likely.

Now, an open meeting is being held in the village hall for the council to ‘gauge village reaction and hear any suggestions’ and look at the possibility of forming a committee to ‘investigate all possible options’.

Parish council chairman Cllr Mostyn Symes said: “Legally, the council cannot run the shop, but it wishes to do what it can to support community efforts to retain it.

“At the moment, nobody has come forward to buy the shop, so the village is looking at all possibilities, with one being a community-run shop.

“The council have asked two members of the committee that run the Roadwater Community Shop to come and speak at the meeting to explain about their experiences of starting and running a community shop.

“It is hoped by the end of the meeting a plan will be in place to secure a shop within the village.

“The shop plays an invaluable part in the life of the village, and it is imperative that we as a community try to do all we can to preserve it and the many other businesses and organisations in the parish that make Stogumber the busy, thriving community that it is.”

Cllr Chris Bramall said: “All the parish council can do is facilitate, so I think the idea is to encourage people who are interested in getting involved in effectively creating a community shop.

“There are a number of community shops in the area and they all seem to work okay. But there are several issues involved, such as finding the right building because it would not necessarily be the existing shop. The public meeting is being held to encourage people who have an interest to come along and have their say.

“I would hope that some sort of working party will get put together of people who are interested in moving it forward.”

Cllr Bramall said a main concern centred on the village Post Office which currently operated from the village stores. He said: “The Post Office is not only a huge benefit to the community but it also produces income for whomever runs the shop.”

The grade two listed terraced shop building is sited across the road from the village’s St Mary’s Parish Church and has four-bedroom owner’s accommodation on the first floor.

Webbers said: “The property is being sold as a going concern. However, as an alternative the shop could be utilised for other retail uses or there is potential to convert the building to residential use, subject to any necessary planning permission.”