Huby’s shop and post office serving the villages of Huby and Sutton on Forest was on the verge of closing down when its owner of 26 years retired last year. The two villages formed a steering group and set up a not-for-profit community benefit society – Huby and Sutton Community Shop Ltd – to take on the lease and business.
420 shareholders participated by buying shares and bonds, raising over £50,000. The shop then rebranded as Barkers of Huby, in recognition of its owners David and Lesley Barker and is now run by volunteers alongside paid staff in the Post Office.
“Thanks to a grant from Hambleton District Council’s ‘Making a Difference Fund’, we were able to make some improvements to the shop,” said Denise Howard OBE, Chair of Huby and Sutton Community Shop Ltd, pictured in the shop.
“With the £4500 we were able to improve the fixtures and fittings to enhance the shop layout, replace the interior lighting and install CCTV for volunteer and staff security. We were also able to commission a report on how to replace the steps with a ramp, for future plans. These changes are of particular value to our older residents or those with limited mobility or sight impairment.
“Keeping the shop and post office open makes a huge difference to the daily lives of the residents who rely on it for not only the post office services and the everyday essential goods and newspapers as well as local meat and produce, but it also provides a social hub where people can meet each other and keep up to date with community news.”
- Other groups in the Easingwold area who benefited from a grant from the Making a Difference Fund were: £3000 each went to Stillington Sports and Social Club for the provision of a unisex disabled toilet facility, Helperby Village Hall for the purchase of a demountable stage, Alne Village Hall Committee for their garden restoration project . Farlington Village Hall received £3500 to help them with their village hall refurbishments and £4000 went to support the rebuild of a new clubhouse at Huby bowling club.