Sadly, shopowners Richard Hutchinson and Christine Burton (pictured) lost their fight to keep the branch open last May.
The branch was replaced by an outreach service just two mornings a week and many villagers feared the worst – that Somerby, whi
ch once boasted a petrol station, butcher and even a department store, would lose its shop, too.
But, thanks to true grit and ingenuity, the village store is battling on thanks to a number of initiatives, such as a grocery delivery service.
Richard said: "It's been a struggle and we did contemplate closing the store, but as long as we stay afloat we stay open.
"The outreach service comes for four hours on a Monday and a Wednesday morning and it's bedlam in the store as everyone rushes to use it."
The situation is far from perfect, but Richard and Christine won't go down without a fight, and have taken measures to stay open to support the community.
One such measure has been a fruit and vegetable home delivery service, which they do themselves on a Wednesday afternoon. It's been a success so far, and they put together about 16 orders a week.
Richard said: "It's been a success and it helps out a lot of the older residents who find it difficult to come to the shop, especially in the winter weather."
Richard and Christine are also in the process of applying for a licence to sell alcohol and are talking to local brewers.
They are also running a parish lottery, where the proceeds go to charity.
Somerby Ward counciller Mark Barnes is full of praise for Richard and Christine, but warned: "It's important that residents in the area use the shop and the outreach service because if they don't use it, they'll lose it."
