Whixley Village Shop
Villagers find enterprising solution
Two decades ago, community life in the tiny village of Whixley in North Yorkshire was under threat. The village school closed down followed soon after by the village shop, where mothers used to meet, and then the post office. The final straw was when the site of the local garage with its small sweet shop was sold for redevelopment. However, when the new owner applied for planning permission the parish council wisely ensured this included provision for a local shop.
Enterprising villagers soon formed an 80-strong co-operative, led by a smaller committee, to make this provision a reality. Village fundraising efforts were boosted by a £17,500 RES grant from Defra and funding from the Countryside Agency (CA). The RES grant helped cover initial costs of a shop manager who would also co-ordinate the local voluntary help and sourcing of local produce.
In May 2004 the new store - stocked with top quality local produce and handicrafts – opened its doors, helping the village return to being a real community and not just a collection of houses.