In September 2007 when we completed the purchase of Ludwell Stores we were under the mistaken impression that we were buying a shop. It soon became obvious that we were buying something far more complicated and that it would not be ours until we had proven ourselves worthy.
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A village shop is a curious entity very much greater than the sum of its parts. It is a village green, a lost and found, a place for meeting and greeting, for organising events, for finding help, for swapping recipes, for passing news; and you can buy groceries. As the proprietors you are nothing without the goodwill and support of the community and if you get it wrong you own nothing.
We have always been blessed with extraordinary support from our team, from our customers, from our suppliers and from our long-suffering family. It may take a village to raise a child , but it takes many villages to sustain a village shop. Every success that the Stores has achieved, from winning Village Shop of the Year to simply being a healthy small business bobbing about in the local economy, is the result of collaboration. We are very fortunate to be part of something so much larger than ourselves. SHOP AND POST OFFICE OPENING TIMES
Monday - Friday: 08:30 - 17:30
Saturday: 08:30 - 15:00 Sunday and Bank Holidays: Closed |
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VILLAGE SHOP OF THE YEAR 2011/12
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LOCAL WHERE POSSIBLE, ORGANIC TOO.
If the quality is there, we will always choose local first. We offer local options in all staples (bread, milk and eggs are exclusively local), as well as butter, cheese, yoghurt etc. Buying local is important not just for the transport issues but also for maintaining a strong local business environment.
We try and offer an organic choice as well. Whatever various studies' conclusions on the merits or not of organic food, we believe that the less that is done to produce your ingredients the better they will be for your health (and ours - we do all our shopping here). Organic isn't always more expensive either. Local organic vegetables (delivered every Thursday) are generally the same price as, or cheaper than, the fresh wholesale produce we get delivered daily - no middle man!
We have tried to draw a line in the sand as far as animal welfare is concerned. We have replaced meat-based offerings with organic, free-range, RSPCA assured or Red Tractor. "Cheap meat usually comes at a price - one paid by the farm animals and often the environment too"- Compassion in World Farming.
We try and offer an organic choice as well. Whatever various studies' conclusions on the merits or not of organic food, we believe that the less that is done to produce your ingredients the better they will be for your health (and ours - we do all our shopping here). Organic isn't always more expensive either. Local organic vegetables (delivered every Thursday) are generally the same price as, or cheaper than, the fresh wholesale produce we get delivered daily - no middle man!
We have tried to draw a line in the sand as far as animal welfare is concerned. We have replaced meat-based offerings with organic, free-range, RSPCA assured or Red Tractor. "Cheap meat usually comes at a price - one paid by the farm animals and often the environment too"- Compassion in World Farming.
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Know your labels: click on logo
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BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE SHOP
We are very lucky to have such a brilliant team. When we arrived back in 2007 we were propped up by Gill, Julie and Emily. Jan came along and gave us a lift when retirements began. Emily and Kate have supported us in times of great need. Sadly all have hung up their pinnies but they still visit the other side of the counter.
Today we feel as strong as ever with our Assistant Manager Fiona, Geraldine and Evie. |