A village shop which closed nearly five years ago will reopen for business tomorrow, thanks to one villager's dedication, hard work and sense of community spirit.

A village shop which closed nearly five years ago will reopen for business tomorrow, thanks to one villager's dedication, hard work and sense of community spirit.

When the small shop in Woodton, near Bungay, closed in 2003, villagers were left with no choice but to go to another village to do their shopping.

Charles Boyce, who previously worked as a retail training consultant, took over the store on Hempnall Road earlier this year and has spent weeks redecorating and getting it ready to trade from tomorrow, selling everything from newspapers to local meat and farm produce.

The original shop closed nearly five years ago and Mr Boyce said that its closure made a real difference to the village. “I don't think anybody realised how much they would miss it until it was gone. You soon get fed up of having to get in the car to drive just to buy milk or a newspaper.

“People lead much more hectic lives nowadays, a lot of people don't have time to spend hours at the supermarket, so we'll be here for those little things you need at the last minute.”

Mr Boyce, who has lived with in family in the neighbouring village of Bedingham for 24 years, said everyone has been supportive of his plans to bring services back to Woodton.

He said: “The village has grown in the last few years to about 650 houses. I really believe this will be good for the thriving community and for the environment, as people won't have to drive more than three miles just for basic groceries.”

The shop also stocks environmentally-friendly cotton printed bags, which have been designed and specially made by students at nearby Bungay High School as part of a Young Enterprise business project.

The store will be open Monday to Saturday from 7am to 8pm.