Community retailing at its best

British convenience stores have evolved far beyond being places to pick up milk or bread; they have become community hubs where lives intersect, stories are shared, and memories are created.

Nestled in the charming Northamptonshire village of Kislingbury, Kislingbury Village Store is a shining example of this evolution—a living, breathing symbol of resilience and community spirit.

The site itself has been standing for about 133 years now, proving to be a live testament of the key yet underrated role that convenience stores play in British country life.

Fast forward to today, and the store has been infused with a new sense of purpose, thanks to the vision of its current owner, Vidur Pandya. Since acquiring the store in February 2022, Pandya has embarked on an inspiring journey to transform this age-old relic into a vibrant hub of community activity—without losing an ounce of its charm or heritage.

Speaking with Asian Trader, Pandya shared how a strong sense of purpose brought him to Kislingbury and shaped his approach to business.

“Kislingbury Village Store was originally established as a Co-op in 1891. We acquired the store in February 2022 when we moved from London.

“It’s an old structure. Being part of a conservation zone, only its insides can be changed. The outsides cannot be altered. So even today if looked at from a certain angle, one can spot the old Co-op signs above the window beams. Obviously it's been painted over it, but the signs can be seen on a sunny day,” he said.

The store’s previous owner held the reins for 35 years, but by the time Pandya and his family arrived from London, it was in dire need of modernisation.

“It wasn’t run down, but it was out of touch. We wanted to breathe life back into it—and I think we’ve succeeded to some extent,” he said.

For Pandya, moving to Kislingbury wasn’t just a business decision; it was a lifestyle overhaul.

“My parents and I were looking for a place to call home, somewhere we could make a difference,” he shared. “Owning a store in a village like this allows us to contribute directly to the community, plus we can see and feel the impact every day.”

Beyond offering the essentials of a convenience store, Kislingbury Village Store has gained a reputation for its fresh produce, local bakery bread, and a thoughtfully curated alcohol section. Being the only store in the village, it also stocks stationery, greeting cards, and other necessities.

The store caters to food-to-go lovers as well, with a wide range supplied by Country Choice.

“It is a one stop shop for the community; we make sure no one is forced to leave the village to get their essentials,” Pandya told Asian Trader.

In addition to running the store, Pandya operates a local Post Office branch, making it an indispensable lifeline for the village and nearby areas.

Kislingbury Village Store is far more than just a retail outlet. This store is a place where the residents hang out, socialise, talk, celebrate festivals together, share problems and discuss local issues apart from being able to shop, withdraw and deposit cash, send, collect and return parcels without having to leave the village.

The store’s community focus goes beyond retail.

For example, Pandya is currently spearheading a fundraiser to refurbish a run-down playground of Kislingbury village and provide it with a new set of equipment. The store also installed a bleed control kit outside—yet another way it prioritises community welfare.

Pandya continued, “Every year, we run programs to educate school children the importance of cash and the real world dealings. Like, they come in with a small amount to buy a product and sort of calculate the change without relying on any gadget or calculator. They also learn about sending letters through the post office.”

The store also supports local clubs and the church by supplying essentials for a morning club for over 50s as well as to the local church. The store also donates to the food bank in the village as well as one in the neighborhood village.

Late last month, when the village experienced heavy rains and a flood-like situation, Pandya emerged as a savior for many.

He revealed, “We got a cry for help at 11:00 pm. We gathered all the required emergency supplies and took it down to the village hall where the rescuers were. There were close to 400 people who needed refreshments.”

At the moment, the store is in the middle of a refit which will take months to finish as it is being done in phases. Additionally, the store has joined Simply Fresh, but Pandya decided to keep the front signboard as it is.

He explained, “I consciously decided to remain independent as I wanted to let the store name remain as it is, as an ode to its heritage and legacy.”

Inside, however, the store boasts the full experience of a Simply Fresh outlet, along with offering an expanded range that includes Co-op products. This thoughtful addition evokes nostalgia for older residents, further strengthening their connection to the store.

Clearly, Kislingbury Village Store is no ordinary shop—it’s the heart of its community.

“Since taking it over, we are pushing hard to make it even more of a lifeline. We have taken the approach of community retailing and try to do things accordingly. Our store is about more than selling products and services; it’s about bringing the community together and providing a hub for those who need it,” he concluded.