Plumley Village Stores and Post Office is much more than a shop – it’s an institution. The Royle family, starting with father Sidney Royle, has run the community store for 50 years this November. Today it is run by Sidney’s son, Jonathan and his wife, Gill, a retired teacher.
Jonathan studied economics at Manchester University but already knew at secondary school that he wanted to go into the family business.
‘I was putting sugar on the shelf when I was two,’ he said. ‘Running this shop is in my genes, it’s in my blood. It is must more than just running a shop. It is a hub of the community.
‘We help people with more than their shopping. It’s something we love doing.’
Gill and Jonathan, who also took on the running of Goostrey Village Store last year, sell everything from newspaper and magazines to fair trade produce from Traidcraft and local produce from nearby farms and producers.
‘We like to have a little of everything,’ said Gill. ‘Then we can try and provide as good a service as we can.
‘I can’t quite believe it’s been fifty years. It really took me aback when I realised. We’ll definitely celebrate later in the year. We’re planning it now.’
