West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin last week joined villagers celebrating the return of the Lower Broadheath village store. The MP was invited to cut the ceremonial ribbon marking the re-opening of the store and Post Office which returned to full service earlier this year after the old village shop closed in 2017. Harriett worked closely with the group of volunteers planning to return the village shop to full operation and she also liaised with the Post Office management to ensure that a mobile service was preserved in the village. The group raised more than £40,000 to help fund the project and gained the agreement from the owners of the Bell Inn to site the new shop in the pub’s car park. Harriett commented: “This project is a perfect example of a community coming together to restore an important and valued local resource. “I took the time to thank the organising committee and the volunteers who make sure the shop and Post Office are able to operate smoothly and efficiently. “The team was able to learn from the experience of Alfrick, who undertook a similar project and I hope that the Lower Broadheath store enjoys similar success. “My attention is now firmly on Tenbury and I took time to talk to the local Post Office managers about what progress has been made securing a new operator. “I urged them to move as swiftly as possible to secure a new partner and to work with local people to attempt to minimise disruption for those who are being impacted by the temporary closure.” Photo: Harriett Baldwin MP cuts the ribbon at the Lower Broadheath Community Shop with chairman Mark Glossop.