A village shop in Berkshire is back open after being closed for months.
The shop in The Street, Hurst, previously served as the village post office before closing on December 13, 2024.
It had a rocky recent history. Although it was saved from closure in July 2023, it was ultimately closed after 18 months.
The shop has been taken over by the Baweja Superstore company, which applied for a licence to sell alcohol for consumption off premises from 5.30am until 11pm each day.
This application was granted by Wokingham borough council’s licensing department following a statutory consultation that ended on August 14.
A post on The Licensing Guys Facebook page states: “Hurst Village Store, which sadly closed in December 2024, has now reopened as ‘Central Stores’ after a competitive battle by 11 potential buyers.
“The new owners are back in business and today celebrate the grant of a premises licence by Wokingham borough council.
“We wish Baweja Stores Ltd every success in providing a valued and essential retail service to the local community.”
The Post Office closed along with the store last year. It is unclear whether these services will be re-provided by Baweja Stores.
At the time, Clive Jones, the Liberal Democrat MP for Wokingham, said the closure was a ‘crushing blow for the community’.
The Post Office has invited retailers interested in hosting a branch to get in contact.
