Northamptonshire village pub opens shop in restaurant to support community during coronavirus outbreak

A Northamptonshire village pub has opened a community store with a fully-stocked range of products available from local farmers.

The Plough in Shutlanger is shut as a restaurant and pub but remains open for takeaway and now as a shop to keep people going during the coronavirus outbreak.

Pub landlord Jim Kay said: "It's a mixture of trying to help people in the village and keep our staff in their jobs really."

The shop will consist of items hard to get in the supermarket such as pasta, loo rolls, fruit and veg, tinned goods and cleaning products.

Jim said they will try to use catering contacts and direct trade with egg farmers, dairies and wholesalers to supply a steady flow of supplies for the village.

The priority will be Shutlanger, the surrounding villages without a shop, the over-65s and NHS staff to ensure the most-needy get what they need.

Customers can either visit the pub, which will have a four-person maximum at any one time, or make a 20-minute appointment.

Alternatively people can order and pay over the phone and either collect the goods without seeing anyone or have them delivered.

Jim said: "We want to be competitive but we also don't want to put ourselves out of pocket.

"We won't be as cheap as supermarkets as we're getting local produce but we want to help people too - we'll be as affordable as possible."

Everything will be cleaned to a high standard with hand-washing facilities available for customers.

The shop will be open from 10.30am to 6.30pm from Tuesday to Saturday and 12-4pm on Sundays. For more, call The Plough on 01604 864644.