A COUPLE who are leaving a village shop after 14 years have said they hope the community can come forward to take over the business.

Nick and Gill Jones are planning to move on from The Tuck Shop in Walberswick, near Southwold, and will market the business by the end of the year.

But they are keen the shop, in Main Street, stays in good hands and have asked their customers for their views.

Mr Jones said: “We were asked by several villagers to look at the viability of a number of people forming a limited company and offering shares in the shop at around �500 each.

“We feel this has several advantages for the village, giving the shop a long-term future and ensuring it continues to operate and respond to the needs of the village.

“It will also allay the real concerns many have expressed over the shop’s future and their ability to continue living here without it.”

To judge the support for the proposal, the couple, who are originally from Hull, have been giving out forms for customers to give their support. They have had 60 back so far, with varying levels of interest.

“If there is sufficient interest we will arrange a meeting to give more details about the running of the shop and allow those interested in taking matters further to form a working party or committee,” said Mr Jones, who added that two parties were interested in buying the shop outright.

Mr Jones said he wanted to assure locals they were in “no hurry to leave” and would work with a group or any other future owner to make sure the shop continued as a going concern.

The shop is a lock-up business and the couple do not live on site. They are due to make several changes to the shop this year, including a new layout, a coffee machine, new local meat and organic vegetables.

Anyone wishing to give their thoughts can write to The Tuck Shop, Main Street, Walberswick, IP18 6UH or email jones19687@btinternet.com