Shutting up shop

9:19am Thursday 17th July 2008

BROMPTON Regis village shop celebrated the end of an era as it closed its doors for the final time.

Jenny and Pete Stringer, who ran the post office and village store for 21 years, shut up shop yesterday (Wednesday) - admitting defeat after being announced as a victim of the latest Post Office closures.

An outreach service will be run by the Post Office Ltd on Monday mornings and Thursday afternoons in the village hall.

Jenny said: "We regret that the shop will be closing on our watch and sincerely hope it will not change the nature of this community.

"We have experienced difficult times during the 21 years we have been here.

"But most of it has been enjoyable and through all of it we were happy, knowing that it meant we could stay here in this special community, which has supported us both in a business capacity and in our personal lives."

The couple are now looking forward to spending more time at home and taking a well-earned break.

Jenny added: "I will be 60 next year so I will be carrying on with the bed and breakfast but taking the chance to spend more time with the family.

"We've only had one week off in 21 years - so we will be going to Italy for a nice break."

People were devastated that the shop was disappearing - but they have been given a lifeline by Paul and Trish Randell, licensees of the George Inn in the villlage, who have opened their skittle alley up as a new shop.

The pub will run the store as a business, with 20 village volunteers on a rota basis.

* For more pick up this week's West Somerset County Gazette - out today!!