Wigmore (Mortimer Country Stores)
The site of a former shop adjoining a local garage, The Mortimer Country Stores was born out of a village initiative during 2007. The parish plan and survey together with a specific survey regarding the possibility of a shop fired the imagination of a small group within the village. In Oct 07 this group met and thus began the embryonic management committee for the co-op that was to become the village shop serving a village of some 700 plus a further 500 odd in surrounding areas. In May 2008 all the work was completed, stock on the shelves and ready waiting for John Challis (Boycie) to cut the ribbon.
The ethos of the shop is to promote local produce - approx 60% of stock buy is from local producers and 40% from wholesalers. Local being within 30 km radius of the village.
The shop is managed and run by a part time manager plus a bank of some 15 or so regular volunteers.
Since that May 08 date the shop has maintained steady progress with the first 6 months results of 2009 beating the prior year by some 30%.
The manager and her staff endeavour to keep interest going by introducing new products at regular intervals.
We place great emphasis on fresh food - vegetables are picked the same morning, as are soft fruits, pies are baked in the early hours and delivered still steaming, and breads arrive still warm. In addition we use a local artisan bread maker for speciality breads on a Friday - foccacia, brioche, soda breads, olive bread etc.
We are now focussing on in store baked goods with a large fan to waft the smell of freshly baked bread down the high street!!!!!!