Norfolk village gets its shop back

Dominic Chessum Though the small village of East Rudham, near Fakenham, is lucky enough to still have a pub, tea shop and butchers, many villagers feared they had lost their general store forever after the post office and shop closed earlier this year.

Dominic Chessum

Though the small village of East Rudham, near Fakenham, is lucky enough to still have a pub, tea shop and butchers, many villagers feared they had lost their general store forever after the shop closed earlier this year.

But now a husband and wife team have stepped in to once again provide villagers with both the necessities of life and that little bit extra.

Angie and Nigel Brown opened Pooleys Store and Deli for the first time at 9am on Saturday morning.

Situated by the village green and named after a shop which existed on the site more than 30 years ago, within minutes of opening people were flocking to the small store to pick up essential buys and one or two little luxuries.

The smiles on the faces of both customers and proprietors said much about how pleased people were to see a shop back in the village but Mrs Brown said it had been a last minute dash to get Pooley's open on time.

Speaking within hours of opening she said: “We haven't been to bed yet.

“We worked all night then went home for a bath and then came back.”

The Browns are determined to supply customers with everything they might need - from bread, milk and newspapers to tea and washing up liquid.

They are also determined to keep things as local as possible.