Walberton villagers can once again shop locally

Local man Roy Anscombe has taken on the challenge of reviving the tradition of selling everyday goods in the village centre, at the age of 70.

He has re-opened the former convenience store in Maple Parade, The Street, which closed six months ago.

Its closure followed the shutting the previous January of The Village Stores nearby which had been in business for more than 170 years.

Mr Anscombe has appointed two joint managers, Janet Humphries and Sally Lloyd, to ensure the smooth running of his new store.

They have stocked it with the usual range of village store items with the added bonus of a trailer full of fresh fruit and veg on show in a pyramid-style display outside.

Two members of staff also work in the business.

Mrs Humphries said: 'Roy decided to take on the store because everybody was disappointed when it closed.

'There was nowhere locally for them to shop. Everybody has been so grateful.'

She said she was sure the store would survive in spite of the trend of the past few years where customers have deserted small shops for the supermarkets or internet shopping.

'Walberton is a small community and everybody knows each other,' she explained. 'It's a friendly service. It's not like walking into Tesco where you don't know anyone.'

Mr Anscombe has taken on the store as well as running Turnpike Motors in Walberton. He has owned the motor business since the 1960s.