Aveton Gifford
Village Shop

Parishioners packed the Aveton Gifford Memorial Hall on 3rd February 2003 to hear that, after providing a village shop and Post Office service for the preceding 9 years, Tim and Sue Herbert were closing their doors for the last time on 14th March 2003 due to reasons of commercial viability. Tim’s hand was forced by Post Office changes to bring in direct payments of benefits into accounts, thus reducing the transactional remuneration potential for the sub-postmaster.

The loss of a village shop and post office can rip the heart out of the village and leave it to die, but Aveton Gifford parishioners recognise this and do not easily succumb! The Shop Trust (under the Chairmanship of John Harcus) was formed and went instantly into battle – raising funds, seeking out new possibilities and proving that our village is worth much more than becoming another Post Office closure statistic!

Through sheer hard work and determination a brand new, reinforced, portable office was crane lifted into the car park of the Memorial Hall in November 2003. The “Green Tin” shop and post office was open for business by February 2004. The “Green Tin” was a stepping stone, with ambitions to create a more permanent structure by the following year. Fundraising was relentless and the efforts of the new team (Aveton Gifford Shop Association) under the chairmanship of Burda Gage took the dream to new heights.

The completed £100,000 eco-shop at the heart of Aveton Gifford is now open for business. This could be the story of David and Goliath, except for the simple fact that Goliath didn’t stand a chance. The parishioners of Aveton Gifford don’t “do” failure. Help us in our success – support the shop, use it.