Shap has regained a valued village resource thanks to the efforts of local resident Cheryl Benson.
Cheryl has fulfilled an ambition she has had since she was a child by taking on the village newsagent’s shop, which also stocks a variety of other items, mainly foodstuffs.
She is also hoping to offer post office services at the shop premises on the village’s Main Street, but has so far been thwarted by what seems to be red tape within the Royal Mail.
“I’ve always wanted the shop since I was a kid buying sweets there,” said Cheryl. “I’ve spent 17 years in retail, 15 of them working in the village Co-op.”
She went on to say that she had made previous efforts to buy the shop — which was run for 23 years by Bev and Dave Anderson, who retired in February — before coming to an agreement with the couple.
She said: “My initial intention is to keep the favourites — sandwiches, cakes, pies, confectionery and cards — while adding new products and putting my own stamp on the place.”
Cheryl also explained that she applied months ago to reopen the village post office, but the process seemed to stall after her support adviser left his job. Emails she has sent on the matter have not been answered.
She added: “I am currently seeking help from Tim Farron and our parish council to see if we can move this on further.
“This is a huge loss to the village — we have access to a post office van only a couple of hours a week.
“Many of our customers who withdrew money are elderly and don’t drive. So many people have been in already to use the post office and I’ve had to turn them away, so I know it would be well used again.”
