Four months after its launch, a Saddleworth village's takeover of its store and post office has turned it into a ‘community destination’.

The Dobcross Village Society say the community are at the heart of the project with the mantra of encouraging shopping local, sourcing local products, keeping its carbon footprint low and providing a friendly personal experience.

The co-operative venture is owned by the village, and run by a village management team with their approach to business already having gone down well with shoppers.

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New lines, more high-quality local produce, as well as artisan gifts and cards have been added.

Every new product is sourced from a local supplier, including milk and free-range dairy products from Roundhill Farm in Dobcross, artisan Roger's Bread, in addition to bread and muffins from JW Buckley's bakery.

For more fresh fruit and vegetables shoppers can make orders in store for grocery boxes from Alimentari di Alberti, another local business, just a mile away.

(Image: Ken Bennett)

Local butchers provide meat and fresh pies are a lunchtime favourite from Tunnel End Pie company.

Honey is another product from hives across the road from the shop on Woods Lane.

Gifts, cards and craft items are also on display and available in the store. JellyButton gifts, A.R.T. coloured glass and artist Kevin Haynes cards all reflect the area.

Village management team chairman Nathan Beckwith said: “Our aim is to help showcase local businesses, raise their profile and provide them with an opportunity to grow their business.

Read more about the post office's journey here;

“The store is now an attractive addition to village life, the improved frontage is in keeping with the village with a newly painted door and is the only facility in the village for people to use."

He added: "It not only provides a shop for essential food items but has become the heart of the community.

"All staff were TUPE transferred across to the new business, the three of them were worried they would lose their jobs and so this was a lovely start to the new business.”

With a Post Office attached, villagers can access banking facilities and help many microbusinesses in Dobcross with parcels, packages and business banking as well as being used to access holiday money.

Mr Beckwith said: "We have a core team of about 20 volunteers who work in the shop, one of them stressed that her mental health had improved since becoming a volunteer as she felt she had a purpose and enjoyed the friendship and companionship it gave her.

"Others who are retired all enjoy the feeling of being 'useful' again and 'keeping their brains ticking over'.

“Supporting our local businesses and bringing them to the fore in the shop will hopefully create a ripple effect in the community.”

Nathan Beckwith  (Image: Dobcross Village Store)

The aim is to boost business and attract more shoppers of all ages with longer opening hours, a loyalty scheme is planned, a delivery service to help older customers and new ventures such as coffee mornings and a social community space.

They work in partnership with a local coffee company to provide bean-to-cup coffee in store, with table and chairs to encourage people to stop and chat, and elderly customers have appreciated the companionship this gives them.

A book exchange, community noticeboards and updates on village life on their website also help foster a community spirit.

They provide a scanning, printing a photocopying service and often when people use these services they stop for a chat and a coffee.

Mr Beckwith added: ”Our volunteers are a diverse group and complete different tasks such as cleaning, stock taking, working behind the counter, DIY, and gardening to keep our window boxes looking good.

“The team have formed a partnership with the Saddleworth secondary school and our first work experience student recently completed a week's work. We have also offered Duke of Edinburgh volunteer scheme places.

“Any profits from the store will be ploughed into the local community with the first plan to provide equipment to the Shady Gardeners group who turn local wasteland into flowerbeds encouraging pollinating bees, wildlife and enhancing the local environment.”