Woods of Whitchurch is a village shop that provides for many communities, not just Whitchurch. Woods is renowned for its friendly and helpful approach, to give locals the provisions they need. However, Lucy Gardner, the owner, has actively stepped up this with her response to the Coronavirus outbreak.

The village shop, which already has a 5 star hygiene rating, is taking extra precautions, such as regularly sanitising door handles, cabinet handles, and the card machine. Staff members are checked for Coronavirus symptoms before beginning their shift, as well as making sure they frequently sanitise their hands to keep everyone safe.

The team have put markings on the shop floor to ensure people are providing other customers with space, as well as another area so that customers can enter and exit freely. As a further precaution, there are only two customers allowed inside the shop at a time.

Lucy has also met the needs and requests of many locals, by installing new innovative services: Many Woods customers are elderly, vulnerable, or simply don’t want to take the risk of spending time amongst others. Lucy has taken this on board, and has introduced a ‘personal telephone shopping’ service. The customer telephones Woods of Whitchurch (on 01600 891021), and the staff pick the chosen items. The goods are then paid for by card over the phone, and are brought out to your car, parked outside the shop. A door bell on the shop veranda pillar has also been installed at car height, for those who are unable to enter the shop. At the request of another customer, Woods of Whitchurch now have an honesty box for newspapers outside, for those who don’t want any human contact. There are now even plans to expand their homemade ready meal services. Lucy and her team are happy to try to accommodate the needs of the community where possible.

Melanie Lindsay, a local resident told the Ross Gazette “It’s been very good getting fresh fruit and veg to boost my immune system, as I work in a residential home and need to remain healthy.” “The shop is a lifeline for people and it’s really reassuring that it’s open.”

Jim Newcomb, another local told the Ross Gazette “Lucy has done a great job, she has gone out of her way help. “Every regular would say the same.”

Lucy Gardner told the Ross Gazette that the shop has been “busy, logistically quite difficult as suppliers ran out of stock, so I needed to think outside the box. I ordered many products, such as the flour in bulk, so we haven’t run out.” “It’s in my nature just to solve the problem, there’s no point just getting upset.” “People have been wonderful.”

To stay informed, visit the Woods of Whitchurch Facebook page.

This article was supplied by a local resident and student, Lucy Rabone.