Urchfont Community Shop
Post Office opening hours
Monday: 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm
Tuesday: 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm
Wednesday: 9am-12pm
Thursday: 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm
Friday: closed
Saturday: 10am-12pm
Sunday: closed
Shop wins Sustainable Building AwardThe Urchfont community shop and post office opened in February 2005 after four years work and serves the parish of Urchfont and surrounding villages. It is community-owned via a not-for-profit company with approximately 400 shareholders. The community lost its last shop in 1999 and the post office closed in 2003 on the retirement of the post mistress. Funding for the project came from a number of sources, both public and private. The building was originally a coach house and, latterly, a storage building for the Lamb Inn pub. Conversion and construction was carried out by local firms ensuring that money remained in the local economy.
The building is of special interest being listed and within a conservation area. A key requirement in conversion was sustainability. The building was converted with this in mind, achieving a high level of thermal efficiency and being heated by a wood burner. The shop has recently won the Sustainable Building Award from Kennet District Council.
The shop and post office aim to provide a community service, providing a range of local support including village diaries, local information and a meeting place for local residents. Produce is sourced locally as far as possible and in the summer fruit and vegetables from local growers and allotments are quick sellers.
After one year of operation the business has proved to be self sustaining and should continue to be so in the future. The venture has created one new job of shop manager and safeguarded the position of a sub post person.
The shop is located in the centre of the village, adjoining to and sharing a car park with the Lamb Inn.