Reasons why my local shop will thrive post lockdown

I live in a rural Lincolnshire Village, one farm shop, one church and no pubs, both sadly succumbing to the economic pressures and reality that a population of just 1961 couldn’t support either one. For 16 years, since our arrival in 2004, our nearest supermarket has been a 12 mile round trip. Positioned next to the primary school it really wasn’t any bother to pop in on the school run for the days supplies. We switched to online when the boys moved on to secondary school. We used our farm shop sporadically, emergencies mainly, bread and milk, not much else. A lot changed in March 2020 and this is what I’ve learnt about my community shop:

1.  Never take for granted the local services on your doorstep
2. They have my future loyalty for the exceptional support they’ve shown the community
   
3. They introduced a delivery service for all in the village
   
4. Supported the vulnerable and the elderly from the outset
   
5. They have never run out of flour. They found a local miller to supply them and had eggs throughout (unlike our local supermarket). Laid by their own chickens
   
6. They introduced social distancing rules very early on and changed the whole store layout to build a one way system even a new doorway
   
7. They recruited additional local staff
   
8. And I met people from my community who I had never spoken to in 16 years
   
9. They reacted quickly to customer requests for additional products
   
10. Didn’t alter their prices at all
    
11. Have some exceptional local suppliers
    
12. The fruit and veg is amazing quality and of course fresh, as well as near zero food miles, its all grown in the surrounding fields
    
13. They built an outside market stall to accommodate the extra volume
    
14. Grasmere farms do have some exceptional meat products available (those who know me are aware i love a pastry based snack!) and Moor Farm some excellent cuts of meat
    
15. Strawberry and Vanilla jam from ‘Saints and Sinners’ is made 4 miles away and I have a new addiction
    
16. Their facebook page told me everything they were up to, without me having to leave the house
    
17. The staff have all been incredible throughout. Cheery, happy to see you and happy to help
    
18. They even wished my son a happy birthday when I last popped in apparently they all know my boys and spoke very highly of them.

Who knew!... but I felt 10ft tall when I left I’m truly thankful to have this shop on my doorstep. No need for the 12 mile round trip to join the queues and witness some customers who think the rules don’t apply to them. You deserve my future loyalty, you’ve earned it, congratulations. Community support at its absolute best.

It doesn’t appear to be just me that’s grateful