Hurst’s village store is to stay open after a three-month trial to see if trade could be boosted.
There was an outpouring of protests when it was announced it would close in April.
But now the Central Convenience Store owners, Bestway, have announced that the shop will stay open – with a much wider range of goods on sale.
The Post Office will remain fully open as well.
The store, serving the village for more than 100 years, now has a greater variety of vegetables and fruit, including strawberries, and different cuts of John Thorner’s fresh meat.
There’s also a wide selection of beers, spirits and other drinks, delicatessen foods, crisps, sweets, stationery, newspapers, magazines and greetings cards.
Villagers are pleased to hear the news. One said: “It’s good to come to the shop and Post Office close to where we live and without driving out of the village, causing more pollution. The staff are friendly and it’s a real meeting place in the heart of Hurst.”
Hurst’s Wokingham Borough councillor Wayne Smith said: “Hurst villagers and many others who stop at the store on the way through here are delighted it is staying open.”
The shop has seven staff, with manager Jayne Overington in charge.
It is open Monday to Saturday 6.30am to 8pm, and on Sundays 6.30am to 7pm. The Post Office is open Monday to Friday 9am to 12 noon and 12.30 to 5.30pm and Saturday 9am to 12.30pm.
There’s been a fresh coat of white paint on the building on the A321 road from Wokingham to Twyford. It has its own free car park and parking outside.
