Hartlepool grocery shop opened by the Raby Arms pub is to become permanent

Hart residents will continue to have access to fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, milk and other essentials on their doorstep as a newly-opened grocery shop – the first in the village for around a decade – is set to continue trading in the village for good.

The store, which initially opened on a trial basis in February, is now going to be a permanent feature at the Raby Arms.

Despite having run for just over a month, the shop already has its own regular customers and manager Kate Bruns said it was “nice to be able to give back to the community”.

She said: “Quite early on it became very apparent that the villagers have missed it.

"The regulars who’ve bought things from us have all said that they’ve found it really hard to get nice fresh food.

“It’s lovely. People have come to try it or have stumbled upon us, bought some goods and have then come back.

"The feedback from everyone has been really positive.”

Hart’s last shop closed around a decade ago, forcing residents to undertake a lengthy walk down the A179 or travel by bus or car to the nearest shops at Middle Warren.

Kate has said the team will work with local small businesses but also try to bring goods from different areas.

The shop will also be relocated elsewhere on the Raby Arms’s site as it’s currently inside a marquee.

Kate added: “People have said that they’ve really missed the shop in the village.

“It’s nice to be able to give back to the community something that they’ve needed for a long time.

"Lots of people have come more than once and they’ve said they’ve needed something like this for a long time.”

It comes as The Raby Arms pub prepares to welcome customers back to its beer garden on Monday, April 12.

Kate said: “I’m looking forward to seeing people and giving them a space where they can meet up with friends and family.”

More information about the shop is available on (01429) 864287.

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