A NEW-BUILD village store is set to open in Micheldever in late August.

Micheldever will have a local village shop again, after the last one closed more than 10 years ago.

Trinity Rose sold the vacant property on its first viewing in February 2021. Now, the former village store is set to re-open and fulfil its purpose as a local convenience store.

The new shop owner, Rajeev Sangroula, already owns Nirmala Foods in City Road in Winchester, a Nepalese grocery store that opened in 2019.

SEE MORE: Entries invited for Inspire's Employer of the Year Award - here's how to enter

Rajeev sees the new venture as a business investment that will help serve the community.

Basingstoke Gazette: Micheldever village shop in Church Street

He said: “I’ve been to the shop a couple of times and people are very happy. They keep asking if I’m the new shop owner. Everybody wants a small convenience store quite nearby, so I think they’re very happy and excited. I’m excited as well.

“We’re 90 per cent sure it’s going to be called Micheldever Village Store but definitely something that includes Micheldever.

“If I can run the shop, then in the long term it will be cost effective for me and my family.”

Rajeev is currently sending out flyers to the local community to introduce himself and ask the community what they’d like to see in their local store.

READ MORE: Council responds to plans for 'significant new employment development'

The shop owner expects to open in late August, to allow time to design and fill the empty space.

Trinity Rose associate director, Jon Baud sold the property in Church Street.

He said: “Village shops are closing down everywhere, mainly due to people shopping in larger supermarkets, so it’s very refreshing to see a business opening in such a location and serving the local area, particular as Micheldever is some distance from the nearest convenience store.

“After a very protracted legal process, we finally got this one over the line. We sincerely wish the new owners all the best in their new venture, and I am sure they will receive incredible support from the local community here in Micheldever, which to date has been exceptional.”

Micheldever’s last village shop closed in May 2010.

Chair of Micheldever's parish services, Olive Bramley said: "We are all very excited about the prospect of a village shop, but this has been a long and drawn-out process, so fingers crossed it will actually happen this time."

A message from the editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support.

Subscribing means you have unrestricted access to the latest news and reader rewards - all with an advertising-light website.

Don't take my word for it – subscribe here to see for yourself.

Looking to advertise an event? Then check out our free events guide.

Want to keep up with the latest news and join in the debate? You can find and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.