CHECKING all the community boxes, Crackington Village Shop opened to great fanfare last Sunday as locals came out to support their new volunteer-led shop.

The shop was lucky enough to receive funding from both the Prince’s Countryside Fund and the National Lottery which helped get it off the ground. Now, thanks to a lot of help from the local community and the Crackington Institute Trustees, the new venture is a reality.

The opening event held on Sunday, October 24, was a real local affair, with special guest the ‘pet gorilla’ doing the honours and cutting the ribbon while St Genny’s Silver Band played providing a wonderful ambiance.

Annabel Yates, co-secretary of the Crackington Village Shop committee, said: “This is a community endeavour — run by the community for the community. Thanks must go to all the trustees of the Crackington Institute.

“In the absence of a local celebrity — of which there are many living in Crackington, although all were unfortunately away — the ribbon was cut by our ‘pet gorilla’, one of the people who delivers papers locally, and there was an incredible turn out. We made in the first three days triple our estimated takings, which was thrilling.”

Annabel said the team were delighted to have Shaun Jackson on board to run the shop and were grateful for his many years of experience: “He was the manager of Co-op for about 30 years so really knows what he is doing — otherwise it would have been down to us to muddle through with some pretty complicated till equipment!”

Annabel said the team is looking forward to seeing the shop thrive, adding: “I think we took the right course with the shop not being run for profit as it has a better chance of sustaining itself.

“It has served as a hub during the pandemic and will continue to be a community hub. People took advantage of our produce stall during lockdown, which helped in its own way to alleviate social isolation, with people coming and milling around the car park to look at produce — now they can come and sit on the nice veranda, have a coffee and look out at our stunning view. It has really checked all those community boxes we wanted it to.”

For more information or enquiries about Crackington Village Shop, ring the store on 01840 239919.