March 25th, 2022

​Future of Alderton Village Shop and Post Office

2021 was another strange year with its ups and downs, but the Shop did not do too badly and we survived. However during my break and the shop's closure at the end of the year, the shop had no income which inevitably damaged the business. At that time I received lots of kind messages of support from a lot of my customers and villagers. This was so heart-warming and comforting knowing that I would be ok as I have your support.

Sadly this did not materialise as physical support! Only a few of my loyal and regular customers have been supporting the shop. (Thank you for your loyalty!). I appreciate you moral support very much, but it is not enough to keep the shop going.

Please don't forget that:

The Post Office wouldn't exist without the Shop:
The Post Office was very busy for Christmas and couple of weeks after the New Year, which is great. Our Post Office attracts a lot of customers from villages around as we are the last one standing but please be aware the Post Office would not exist without the shop.

Newspapers wouldn't exist without the Shop:
Those of you who buy newspapers from the shop are familiar with me complaining about Smiths News service (or lack of it). I have to apologise for interruption to our services since late November. Hopefully we are getting back to normal.

 However the whole object selling newspapers in the shop is to attract customers and increase footfall for the business.  Other than that, it's not worth all the anxieties & problems it creates. So, if you are having your paper delivered or picking you papers from the shop, but don’t come in to shop you are not supporting the business which defeats the object.

Remember, No Shop = No Post Office and no Newspapers!

This is hopefully the last time I am going to moan and grumble, the rest I leave up to you. I don’t expect you to do your weekly shopping in the village store, but if you care about having your shop, don’t just wave hello & pass.
 
USE IT OR LOSE IT! Thank you, Yari.