The much-anticipated opening of a long-awaited village store was postponed in wake of Her Majesty The Queen's death. 

Micheldever residents were due to gather on Saturday, September 10 to witness Patrick Cunningham, ward councillor for Wonston and Micheldever, and Steve Brine MP cut the ribbon for the Micheldever Village Store. 

People have been wanting, and hoping, for a new general store since the last shop closed in 2016. 

Originally, the plan for the shop was for it to be a community led effort. 

However, Rajeev Sangroula, who already owns Nepalese grocery store Nirmala Foods in City Road, Winchester, stepped forward to buy the premesis from Trinity Rose in February last year.

After hearing the sad news of The Queen's passing late last week, Mr Sangroula decided to cancel the planned ceremony out of respect for Britain's longest reigning monarch.

It's not yet clear whether there will be a rearranged date for the opening event, although the shop has already been trading since Saturday, September 3.

Mr Sangroula has said his aim is to run a 'semi-farm shop' in the Church Street premesis that meets the needs of the local community. He has welcomed ideas from residents as to what they would like to see from their local shop. 

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Cllr Cunningham was pencilled in to deliver a speech at the curtailed event. He said: "The city council is enthusiastic to see village amenities flourish and a village shop is just such an amenity. I am very conscious that this shop has been long awaited, it being some six years since there was a shop in the village. You are all aware that the Micheldever Community Enterprise Society has been determined that there should be a pub and a shop in the village.

"Council officers have been supportive in both these endeavours. I am advised by the enterprise that this support was greatly valued throughout the resurrection of the Half Moon and Spread Eagle and the original plans to develop a community shop. I am assured that the help on many aspects of both projects was enthusiastically given, a reflection of the city council’s commitment to village life.

"The original plan for the shop was a community one and I compliment the community enterprise on its efforts. However, running a community shop is demanding and I suspect that it was with considerable relief when a 'proper' retailer stepped forward and purchased the shop premises that were mandated in the planning application for the development of this site. 

He added: "The journey to this moment has been a long and frustrating one for Rajeev, his offer having been accepted in February 2021. However, his determination was resolute and he and his family overcame these frustrations and are now proud to be able to serve the local community.

"I’m not a retailer but it is a fair guess that it will take a month or three for the synergy to develop between his offer and the local wishes for a vibrant store that is of value to all to emerge.

"Rajeev has told me that he is eager to hear your ideas as to what he should stock and he will endeavour to respond as commercially as he can."