Pop-up Gretton shop back in business for locked-down villagers

A closed store in a village near Corby has re-opened as a pop-up shop to serve the community with essentials during Lockdown II.

Gretton Post Office and village shop closed three years ago after co-owner Mike Powell was diagnosed with cancer and wife Julie stopped work to care for him.

Following Mike's death in September 2018, the business remained closed and for sale as Julie took time out to spend time with her grandchildren.

It was the second lockdown that spurred Julie on to open up the volunteer-run shop, encouraged and supported by two business owners from the village.

She said: "It's been a real team effort opening up this pop-up shop. When lockdown started again Lydia's Coffee Shop closed. The pubs closed. There was nowhere for people in the village to get anything. It got me thinking.

"The whole village has been pulling together. My family and good friends have rallied around to help."

During the first lockdown none of the other Gretton businesses were open and Julie volunteered to go on a rota to hold the village's emergency phone, as well as working on a local farm with the lambing.

As November's lockdown began and with more time on her hands, Julie's friends Esther Chapman of The Cottage Salon Hair and Beauty, and Joe Byrne, manager of The Blue Bell Inn, convinced her to re-open the premises as a pop-up shop.

She said: "I've opened up because of the second wave otherwise people would have had to shop out of the village. We're stocking lots of fresh fruit, veg, bread, eggs and meat from local suppliers, as well as longer life items.

"We have refurbished half the shop to make it more airy. Volunteers and friends from the village have been helping me. They have been amazing.

"It has been lovely to see everyone. "

The shop will open seven days a week and Julie hopes to possibly keep the shop open up until Christmas.

Meanwhile, Julie's grandson will be making deliveries to people who are self-isolating or shielding.

She added: "I'm not making any promises. We'll see. With all this fresh produce for sale it's important that people support us. It's a case of use it or lose it.

"People are coming in with smiles on their faces and they are very appreciative.

"I'd like to thank everyone for their support."