A VILLAGE shop near Alresford has become the latest business to back the Hampshire Chronicle’s Buy Local, Shop Local campaign.

Ropley Post Office and Village Store was set up by residents three years ago and is managed by a 25-strong army of volunteers.

The community had to find around £90,000 to set the business up. They raised £2,000 from villagers, via a share issue, and secured grants from the DEFRA and county, district and parish councils.

“The Hampshire Chronicle’s campaign seems to be working for the benefit of local shops and we think it is important that local shops survive into the future,” said volunteer Stephen Broadbent. “Also a post office will often only survive if it’s linked in with a shop.”

Mr Broadbent, who lives near the store in Church Street, said it prided itself on stocking items from local producers. It sells meat from local butchers and sources bread, preserves and honey from traders in Bighton, Alresford and Ropley.

“It’s a good community shop, a lot of elderly people come in because they can’t drive, so they’re very dependent on it.”