Blackwell, Worcestershire
New lease of life for village shop!

Blackwell Post Office and Stores is the only shop in this leafy community of nearly 1500 people - one of the larger villages in the region to have only one store. Blackwell is very definitely a village: its peaceful rural atmosphere and community spirit belie its proximity to the West Midlands conurbation and the M42.

The shop, which serves Blackwell village and the nearby communities of Burcot and Lickey End, was until recently quite run-down and under-used. But new leaseholders and a Vital Villages grant have given it a complete overhaul, and really put it on the map, since it was chosen for the high profile launch of the Vital Villages scheme in March 2000.

Nigel Emery and his business partner, Paul Baker, took over the lease of the shop in early January 2000. With support from the out-going owner and advice from the Vital Villages shop advisor, they planned a complete refurbishment. The shop was small and old fashioned: it made sense to move the Post Office back into the existing stockroom, to give a bigger and up-to-date sales floor, and better security. This involved a total refit inside, as well as replacement of key elements of the frontage, including new windows and door.

The commitment from the shop-keepers to invest in the new venture and improve services for the village secured a £5600 grant from the Vital Village scheme; a 50% contribution to the cost of the work. The result is a small, but modern and welcoming village store, with a good range of groceries and convenience lines.

"Without the support of the grant the improvements could not have taken place. The shop has been improved 100%, and our customers have really noticed the difference," said Mr Emery.

The improvements will secure the survival of what was a marginal business under some risk of closure. The Post Office is particularly important to the older residents of the village, while the shop is popular with families at home during the day, and children from the local school. Now the residents of Blackwell will be able to pop down to the Village Shop and Post Office for a wide range of needs for many years to come.