Hurst village shop, which was set to close on Tuesday, April 11, is to stay open for another three months to see if trade can be boosted.
Last week 10 staff at the store were told they were being made redundant. But on Monday the store sent out a notice saying: “The company has today decided to keep the store open for another three months, after that it will be looked at again. In those three months I’d like the community to support us as much as they can, if we have no support then unfortunately it will close.”
There have been concerns about the post office, in the same building but with a separate entrance. A Post Office head office spokesperson said: “We have agreed with the store’s owner that Hurst Post Office will continue to operate at the current location until at least March 2024.
“If the community rallies round the shop and the shop is viable and stays open, the post office will stay open alongside. If after three months the shop closes the post office will stay open until March 2024.”
Villagers who were shocked about the closure plan, this week were pleased that the business, part of the Central Convenience stores group, was being given a second chance.
Local shopkeepers are interested in taking over the Hurst shop.
Hurst Parish Council chairman Cllr Wayne Smith last week said: “We have to do our best to keep a shop and post office in Hurst.” He was working to help that happen.
