Award-winning village shop is ‘beating heart’ of community
A SMALL shop judged to be the “beating heart” of the community has been crowned the best village shop and post office in the UK.
Bay View Stores in Solva, Pembrokeshire, may look small on the outside, but it is a huge part of the tightknit community dubbed one of the “poshest villages” in Wales.
The Countryside Alliance Awards – dubbed the Rural Oscars – celebrate rural communities and the efforts of those committed to their future.
The Western Mail visited Solva earlier this year and everyone we spoke to mentioned Gwyn Price, who runs Bay View with his mum, Jean, and who both “epitomise” the strength of community which binds the whole village together.
After receiving the award at the ceremony at the House of Lords in London, Gwyn said: “Wow! We only went and won! I want to say a huge thankyou to all our customers and our amazing staff. Thank you so much. I can’t believe we are the British shop and post office of the year 2023.”
Located at the top of Solva, Bay View Stores is the only convenience store in the village and sells pretty much anything and everything.
From milk to oysters and meat to flowers, Gwyn is keen to showcase local producers as much as possible.
Gwyn has recently added the Cwtch drop-off centre in a small leanto at the side of the shop which used to house a milk vending machine.
It’s a place where people struggling with the cost of living can pick up the essentials from a collection that’s been donated.
Always trying to help out where he can, Gwyn felt he could do more for the community. It’s quickly become a talking point in the close-knit community and people have been keen to contribute.
The Award for Village Shops commends those who go above and beyond the call of duty and are the hub of the community.
Judges said: “The service provided by Gwyn, his mother, Jean (who still puts a shift in at a graceful age) and the family is hard to put down on paper.
“So many seek their advice, they are indeed the first port of call for residents, holidaymakers and general passers-by. There is so much that this busy shop provides the community, they are the beating heart of Solva.”
Dyfed Shire Horse Farm, in Pembrokeshire, was also highly commended in the Rural Enterprise category.