A community shop near Melksham that opened just over a year ago has launched a desperate search for new premises after its landlord gave the steering group notice to quit earlier than expected.

The Whitley Stores has announced that its last week of trading at the shop in Top Lane, Whitley, will be the week beginning Sunday, November 27.

Alison Candlin, a member of the six-strong steering group for The Shaw & Whitley Community Hub, which runs the shop with help from around 50-60 volunteers, said: “We are looking for alternative locations within the village. Anyone who has suitable premises would be warmly welcomed.”

In a message on its social media page, the group said: “Our last week of trading at the 116 Top Lane shop will be the week commencing Sunday 27th November, with our final day of sales to be confirmed.

“All stock, fixtures and fittings must be cleared from our space in the premises by the end of Saturday, 3rd December.

“Everyone involved in the operation of Whitley Stores is truly saddened that we are being required by our landlords to leave so much earlier than our original planned agreement.

“We are extremely proud of what Whitley Stores has achieved in its year of trading in serving the local community on a day-to-day basis and through the grants that we were able to award to local groups at the end of our financial year.

“The steering group would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers, who have worked so hard to create a vibrant community asset that has quickly become a valued part of village life. Without our volunteers, none of this would have been possible.

“We would also like to express our huge appreciation to our customers and the wider community for their tremendous support and custom.”

Mrs Candlin added: “We have a couple of very promising possible alternative locations in the village, and we are in discussions to explore those options.

“The steering group is extremely optimistic that Whitley Stores will be back – bigger and better – before too long.

“Please continue to support us in our final month at 116 Top Lane and bear with us whilst we work on an alternative plan.

“As a stop-gap, we hope to be able to maintain our supply of newspapers to our regular customers from a temporary pop-up location.”

The Whitley Stores launched in August 2021 after the previous premises, The Toast Office, a café and shop, had closed during one of the Covid pandemic lockdowns.

In its early stages, it was supported by Melksham Without Parish Council and Wiltshire Council.

Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan said: “So very sad to hear that Whitley Stores has announced that they are closing. The store had become a central heartbeat of the village and will be very missed.

“The steering group have done an excellent job with running this facility and consistently reinvested its profits back into the community. I have contacted them for a meeting to see if I can help in any way.

“Last year I had the pleasure of visiting the grand opening of the store, after supporting the hub in its application for funding from the area board. I also held a village surgery in the store during the summer.

“I do, however, remain optimistic that they will find an alternative location and reopen again in the near future. I will offer my support and would be happy to help if they require it.”

Anyone who can help the steering group find new premises, should email them at info@whitleystores.org