Celebrations mark the conclusion of three-year project to retain Pilley community shop and Post Office

DOZENS of residents joined celebrations to mark the construction of a new community shop in Boldre.

The facility at Boldre War Memorial Hall was visited by New Forest East MP Julian Lewis, marking the conclusion of a three-year project to retain a community shop for the village.

Ahead of on official shop opening party planned for September, community representatives were invited to a key handover between the trustees of Boldre War Memorial and the Pilley Community Shop Committee.

As reported by the A&T, Pilley Community Shop and Post Office received a warning two years ago that its lease agreement would not be extended beyond October 2022.

A plan was developed to co-locate the shop at Boldre War Memorial Hall around half a mile away.

It got the go-ahead when national park planners agreed a single-storey side and rear extension to accommodate what was described as an “essential village asset”.

Following completion of the building work, the new Pilley shop opened to customers last week, with post office services launched on Monday.

Run by manager Caroline Darke and a team of volunteers for the last five years, the shop had operated on the same site in the village for a century before its relocation.

Ms Darke said: “We have been very busy since we reopened with lots of customers old and new popping in to have a look around.

“We are building up stock and hope to have more local products and new ranges arriving within the next few weeks.

“All our regular customers have been coming up to see us. It is just a slightly longer walk for some of them now. But we are delighted with the new shop – it is so bright and airy.”

She added: “Our volunteers have been amazing throughout every stage of the process and they are continuing at the new premises with new volunteers set to join us in the next few weeks.”

Speaking at the key handover, Boldre War Memorial Hall chair Tim Farquhar said: “There were many hurdles and our MP Julian Lewis and all our councillors were supportive to find solutions in order to keep a community shop in Pilley.

“Planning permission and building regulations were handled by our designer Kirsty Moore of Plans4Home, who provided an outstanding design for our chosen local builder D. E. Buildings.

“They did an excellent job completing on time, with the final touches done by hall committee members.”