Barford Village Shop Story – Kirsty Healey

Conversation with: Kirsty Healey
Date: 20.11.2015
Location: 22 Keytes Lane

Diary Entry: Barford lost its last remaining shop when Barford News and Post Office was sold in February 2005. The shop was closed for 6 months and then re-opened by a tenant, who attempted to run the shop but lived some way away so opening hours were limited and the stock range was restricted. Some newspapers were finally sold but the Post Office never re-opened.

The shop closed for the second time in February 2006. A Parish Meeting was held in May 2006 with a unanimous vote that Barford wanted to reinstate the village shop. As a result, the Barford Village Shop Action Group was formed, which set up small parties of volunteers to look at possible locations, which services and stock the village wanted and how it could be funded.

Kirsty Healey was one of the original team of five people who setup the New Barford Village Shop and here is her story…