The Gartmore Village Shop is a community owned convenience store that sells groceries, off-licence beverages, newspapers and pharmaceutical products, as well as providing post-office facilities. The community has owned and run the shop since January 1998. The previous owners wanted to sell the property with the possibility of a residential development.

However, the local people were concerned about the possible loss of the village shop and set up a committee to explore their options. A feasibility study was carried out by 8 people from the sub-committee to canvas local opinion on the community-purchase of the shop. Of the 250 adult villagers, 130 subsequently bought shares in a community co-operative.

We have now reached our 10th Anniversary, and to celebrate have recently completed a refurbishment of the shop and created a craft sales area and a tea room. The craft area sells crafts from local crafts people living in Gartmore and surrounding villages. The Shop has a full time manager Kate Wray, and a staff of 4 who assist her.

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