Villagers in Woolhampton are up in arms after the fate of their only village shop has been uncertain since its last closure. 

Alice Panter, 39, who has lived in the area for a number of years has seen the small traditional store change hands on several occasions but nothing seems to have taken. 

"It would be such a shame not to have a shop in the community as we would all really benefit from it," she said. 

"Not just for convenience's sake but just to have something like that in the neighborhood."

Since rumours broke out that the shop may be turned into flats, Ms Panter has been raising the idea with her fellow villagers that they should turn the store into a community shop. 

"It seems to me that it's probably not viable as a private business given how many owners it's been through over the last few years," she continued. 

This is following on from her looking at the one in Bradfield Southend which is near where her daughter attends school. 

A minimum of three people are needed to form a steering committee if the village is to proceed with this idea. 

"I contacted a number of people asking if they would be interested in opening up a community shop, but am still yet to gather a response," she said. 

Ms Panter has been in touch with Bradfield Southend Village Stores and they are willing to offer some advice about how they got set up and how they operate.

They also directed her towards the Plunkett Foundation, a charity that offers support to community businesses.

Speaking directly to a member of staff at Bradfield Southend Village Stores, they revealed that their shop is mostly run by volunteers (aside from paid staff who work in the post office).

They are also completely non-profit. 

"The only contact I've had with the actual developers is they said that are just getting agents to evaluations and such and that they would be back in touch when they had that information," Ms Panter said. 

As far as Ms Panter is aware the plan is still very much to convert the space into accommodation, despite the backlash from the community. 

"A lot of people on social media have expressed that they do want a shop and are upset about the fact that it may be turned into flats," she said. 

"We are all definitely keen to have something more long term there."