A SHOP near a Herefordshire town is facing an uncertain future as its bills rocket more than £8,000 a year.

Bosses at The Shop at Bromsberrow, in the village outside Ledbury near the M50, say they are now facing a "critical financial situation" amid soaring costs.

Co-chairs of the community shop Percy Hunt and Jo Davidson said they had written to members of the shop and volunteers as, in September, the shop’s electricity bill will rise by around £7,000 a year and, in November, its rent is due to go up by £1,000 annually.

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The pair said the shop cannot sustain these costs, more pressing than the financial position is a lack of volunteers to help run the shop, open around 60 hours across seven days.

It has forced the shop, which sells groceries, daily papers, local produce and beers, wines, spirits and tobacco, to consider whether it should close, but also whether it could move it to a new location.

The pair said that could be in an existing building or in a new, purpose-built building if it reduced the running costs.

In the last few days, the management committee has made enquiries with suppliers of modular buildings, landowners, and energy consultants to consider options, and that work is continuing.

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If they decide to build a new shop, they will need to ask for support through national and local grants.

One option is through the government’s Community Ownership Fund which helps locals to take ownership of assets which are at risk of being lost to the community.

To make an application, the pair will have to show that there is a need for a shop, which they can only do by consulting residents and sharing their feedback.

They have already had responses, but have asked for more people to write in with their views, including offers of help.

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Letters should be sent as soon as possible to hello@theshopatbromsberrow.co.uk.

Mr Hunt and Ms Davidson said: "We know that The Shop is so much more than just ‘a shop’.

"It is seen by many as an important community resource, so we know that many aspects must be weighed up. This is why we need to have your views and offers of help written down."