A COMMUNITY-run convenience store is celebrating its second birthday.

Candover Valley Store opened two years ago and very quickly became the centre of its community during the Covid lockdown.

Since opening, the store has morphed into a social hub, providing paid jobs for five people, and a bank of paid youth workers between 16 and 19. It also supports those taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh award.

They all work alongside a dedicated band of unpaid volunteers who also play a vital role in keeping the store running. The combined Candover Valley Store team have clocked up more than 100,000 transactions since the shop was officially opened by Lord Sainsbury in June 2019.

CVCS committee chair, Jane Laws said: “We are particularly proud of our record in providing paid employment for local people, as that was one of the main aims in our original business plan.

"During the last very difficult year, the store has become a true community focus, with people not only staying local to shop for their groceries and post their parcels, but as a place where there is always a friendly smile and a chat on offer.”

She added: “We sincerely thank every single one of our customers, managers and volunteers for their continued support and look forward to welcoming new visitors to the store as we enter our third year of trading.”