Walberswick: East of England Co-op step in to secure future of The Tuck Shop following fears of closure

FEARS a community would lose its village shop have been allayed after it was bought by a major retailer.

The East of England Co-operative Society has purchased The Tuck Shop in Walberswick, near Southwold. It will be re-opening next week – much to the relief of villagers who feared it could lose the store after current owners Nick and Gill Jones decided to move to pastures new after 15 years of running it.

Residents had mooted the idea of clubbing together to try and form their own community consortium group to buy it by offering shares at �500 each. But now the future is looking rosy as the Co-op starts preparations to take over the 800 sq ft store.

Mr Jones said: “The Tuck Shop is indispensable to the people who live in the village, especially the older generation, as it is the only store in what is a beautiful but reasonably remote location.

“We have enjoyed running the store as a family business for the last 15 years and would like to thank all our customers who have supported us.”

The six staff who work at the Tuck Shop will be kept on and after some minor refurbishment it will re-open next Thursday at 10am.

Nick Denny, Co-op executive officer for property, said they were “delighted” and “proud” to take the shop over.

The store will be closed between Monday and Wednesday and a shop will be set up in the village hall between 8.30am and 4pm.