THE story of a Somerset village shop which closed at the start of the pandemic crisis, only to be reopened again within days by the community itself, is being celebrated in a national charity campaign.

The villagers of Brent Knoll lost their local shop in March, just months after their Post Office shut down.

But within 10 days an ‘Emergency’ Community Shop was up and running just as the country was in the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic - keeping food and other vital supplies coming into the village.

Now the inspiring story of the Brent Knoll community pulling together to meet their local needs at a time of crisis is forming part of a national campaign to promote rural community businesses, led by the Plunkett Foundation.

Members of the shop’s committee have been recorded telling their story, which will be one of five 'Lockdown Stories' being shared by the charity in promotion of its 'Vision for a Covid-19 Rural Recovery'.

The businesses are all community-owned, and have each been innovative and committed to supporting local residents during the pandemic.

David Sturgess, secretary of the community shop steering group, said: “We knew that even though we have quite a few supermarkets really quite nearby, we have a lot of neighbours in this village who don’t drive or can’t drive and we’ve got no bus service, so they were being denied food and essentials.

"So we took a decision and within 10 days we had opened an emergency shop here.

“Since then we have been operating at a profit seven days a week and providing all of the needs, certainly the essentials, for all of our villagers.”

The Lockdown Stories were premiered at Plunkett’s virtual Community Business Fete on November 24, together with its Rural Vision Film.

James Alcock, Plunkett’s chief executive, said: “The story of Brent Knoll is a truly inspiring one, and I am delighted that we are sharing it as part of our virtual Community Business Fete.

"This has been a year of tough challenges, but also one of great community spirit - and nowhere is that more evident than in the village of Brent Knoll.”