Norfolk pub supports local community with village store
The Wheel of Fortune pub has opened a community store for locals.
Locals in the Norfolk village of Alpington can now pop to the pub for all their essential food items, thanks to a new store opening within The Wheel of Fortune pub.
Publicans Naomi Shulver and Barry Gelder took over The Wheel of Fortune in March 2022 after purchasing the freehold, but soon realised that there was a need for a village store as there is limited transport in the area and the nearest supermarket is a number of miles away.
Following some help and a Community Services Fund grant from Pub is The Hub, a not-for-profit organisation that helps pubs to diversify their services and activities, the duo have opened a village store, which saw the transformation of a storage unit on the site.
The store offers a range of essentials from milk, cheese and eggs to tinned and household items. There are plans to work with more local suppliers to extend the range and support other local businesses.
“This is an important community service we are offering to people who live locally," says Barry. "We have a high number of elderly residents in the area and want to make sure there is somewhere for them to come for their food items as well as having a safe space to meet.
“We are planning to work in collaboration with other local businesses to make sure we stock more local produce. This is a pub for all people, and we want everyone to have a warm welcome.”
Big news for the locals
The Alpington Community Shop was officially opened by local celebrity ITV Anglia news presenter David Whiteley.
It is being run by trained volunteers and any profits made are being put back into local community projects.
“This is a pub that is really at the heart of its community," adds regional advisor for Pub is The Hub Terry Stork. "This important village store will support people living in the local area and will also help them to overcome social isolation.”
You may also be interested in…
