We’re excited to embark on the journey of creating a vibrant community-run shop, Post Office, cafe and information hub, which will serve the residents of Pitton, Farley, Firsdown, and East Grimstead by offering a delightful range of services, including fresh groceries, local produce, and refreshments, as well as convenient postal and parcel services and newspaper delivery. We look forward to making this vision a reality in September 2026 , coinciding with the closure of the current shop in Pitton.
Above is an artists’ impression of the proposed shop. Full details of the external and internal design are available here in the full planning document
Latest News! ……June 2026
Now recruiting our Assistant Shop Manager ……..
Pitton Community Shop is due to open at the end of September this year and we are beginning the recruitment process for a proactive and enthusiastic Assistant Manager, with excellent customer service skills, to help run our new community shop, Post Office and café in Pitton.
If you are interested, the advert, role description and key tasks are now included below:
I am sure that the majority of you have seen the progress on the shop build as you walk or drive past. It’s looking good!
RV Dart the Builders are handing over the keys to us on the 29th June (you may spot us at the shop taking photos for the Salisbury Journal). We are delighted to have reached this major milestone.
Internal work
Over the past few days the flooring has been laid (see picture above). Once we have the key we can begin fitting out the shop and office. Some of the fixtures are being built onsite and others are purchased and ready to be installed. Broadband and EPOS systems are selected and ready to be implemented.
There is still rather a lot to do before we open, but it does feel as though we are on the home straight towards opening. We will let you know about our launch events nearer the time.
We’ve got lots to share
We are holding two information sessions in Pitton Village Hall on Wednesday 22nd July at 7 p.m. and 26th July at 2 p.m. We have lots of information we would like to share with you about everything from opening hours, to staffing, services and volunteering.
Over the last few months we’ve been planning how the shop will operate on a day-to-day basis. We know that we will have to make some educated guesses on customer demand and produce over the first six months and we would welcome your comments and suggestions if you can attend one of the above dates. We would also love some help planning our launch events!
We especially welcome anyone who would like find out more about volunteering in the shop. No experience is necessary, just a wish to help make our new shop a welcoming and friendly place for shopping and catching up with neighbours over a cup of tea.
Please contact me on lornatayloruk@icloud.com if you cannot attend one of our information events but would like to find out more or volunteer some time.
Staffing
We are pleased to announce that we have recruited Jonathan Gee as manager for the shop. Jonathan has a huge amount of retail experience with companies such as Majestic and Waitrose as well as long-standing links to the local community. Jonathan will start his role on 1st July and we look forward to getting him involved in all of the pre-opening tasks such as working with local suppliers, stocking the shop, getting the IT systems up and running and ensuring that all the daily processes are in order.
We have also recently advertised for an Assistant Manager and we are particularly interested in applications from local people. You can find out more from our web site. https://pittoncommunitystore.org/job-opportunities/. The closing date is the end of June.
Post Office and Licensing
We are in the process of completing all the detailed checks that the Post Office require. The business case, vetting of Board members and general paperwork has been completed and the next stage is a ‘suitability’ interview for two Board members next week. Brian Cudby will be our Postmaster and will, along with our managers and selected volunteers, complete the official Post Office training courses.
And as if we hadn’t completed enough paperwork to last a lifetime, we are also in the process of gaining the licence needed to sell alcohol on the premises.
Additional info for Members
If you are a taxpayer and you purchased community shares in the shop, you may be eligible for up to 50% tax relief on your share purchase via the government’s Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS). The certificate and claim forms have been received from HMRC and issued to those who have requested them so far. If you would like a claim form, please send an email to lornatayloruk@icloud.com.
Come to our information sessionson 11th and 15th July. and find out about how the shop will operate and discuss opportunities to join the team . More details will be circulated in May.
The Second Community Share Offer Share Scheme has closed. Further opportunities to purchase shares might be offered in due course. The Second Share Prospectus, including an application form, can be viewed here .
Thanks to Pitton residents for sharing their views on the village and the need for a shop, and to SJ Wareham for editing the video. You can view the video by double clicking below.
Pitton Community Store 