VIRSA – or the Village Retail Services
Association is a hugely successful organisation that helps rural
communities in the UK rescue their village shops and post offices
from the threat of closure. The charity grew from the experience of Halstock in Dorset, which,
following the demise of its school and village pub then faced losing
its shop back in 1992.
The community’s determined spirit kept the stores open – albeit in a
new form – and now Halstock enjoys a purpose-built village shop,
complete with accommodation, community room and Internet café, all
of which are run by John and Karen Prior…
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The charity grew from the experience of Halstock in Dorset, which,
following the demise of its school and village pub then faced losing
its shop back in 1992.
The community’s determined spirit kept the stores open – albeit in a
new form – and now Halstock enjoys a purpose-built village shop,
complete with accommodation, community room and Internet café, all
of which are run by John and Karen Prior…