The proposal aims to create a community-owned village shop that restores local access to essential goods, supports residents and visitors, and becomes a long-term community asset for Kilve and surrounding villages.
The previous village shop closed in February 2025, leaving residents without convenient access to daily essentials and increasing travel for basic shopping.
The shop is proposed as a Community Benefit Society with open membership through share purchase, democratic governance, and an asset lock.
Beyond retail, the project aims to strengthen community resilience, reduce isolation, and create future surplus that can support local projects.
The plan describes Kilve as a rural village with limited public transport and a significant number of older residents or people without easy access to private transport. The A39 is the main route to larger towns but is narrow, busy, and prone to disruption.
The preferred location identified is the southeast corner of the Christopher Robin Garden because of its central position, safe pedestrian access, and nearby parking.
People can support the project by shopping locally when it opens, volunteering, investing in the share offer, donating, or helping spread the word.