The Detling Community Store has been running only since January but it has proved such a success that it is in with a chance to win a top national award.

The store at The Green, off Pilgrims Way, next to the Village Hall in Detling, has made it through to be one of the six finalists in the Best Start-Up category of the Rural Business Awards, held in partnership with Amazon.

The shop had only been open for two months before having to deal with lockdown and Covid social-distancing as well as the normal challenges presented to all village enterprises.

The shop is run as a non-profit making Community Interest Company with three directors supported by a management committee. There is one paid store manager - Lou Reed - supported by 30 volunteers.

Detling Community Store includes a post office and coffee shop, as well as selling convenience items.

It is the only shop in the village.

Judith Storr, one of the management committee, said: "Our last village shop and post office closed about eight years ago. A steering group began looking at the possibility of setting up a community store about five years ago, but it took a while to organise and get the sponsorship to open.

"You might think that Covid would have been a disaster for us, but in fact the store proved to be a lifeline for so many in the village."

The store operates out of two shipping containers and has a strong sustainability theme.

As well as sourcing products from local growers and manufacturers wherever possible to minimise food miles, it offers a refill service for items such as oil and vinegar and some cleaning products. It even has its own brand items.

The store uses paper and hessian bags rather than plastic.

It was able to open after generous support from a number of individuals and organisations, including the Kent Downs and Marshes Leader, the Kent County Agricultural Society, the Prince's Countryside Fund and the Rochester Bridge Trust.

It's proved an enormous success and the store has already achieved three times its projected income for the first year

The current opening hours during coronavirus lockdown are 8am to 2pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm Saturday, and 8am to 1pm Sunday.

The Post Office is open between 9am and 2pm, Monday to Saturday.

Director Richard Finn said: "We are very proud. This is a testament to all the hard work and a wonderful recognition of all the support that we have had from the local community, volunteers and suppliers in the first year of our existence.”

Detling will now battle it out against five other rural businesses from across the country for the chance to be named the national winner.

The judges will make their decision on Thursday, February 25, next year.

For more information about the store, visit here.

For information about the Rural Business Awards visit here.

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