Summary
When she reopened the village shop, Christine Hope not only ensured that basic services would be available in her community, she also enhanced the vitality of the Longtown community.  By selling local products and promoting local businesses to visitors in her shop, Christine has made a significant impact on the Longtown community.

Background
When the shop side of the Longtown Post Office closed in 2001, Christine Hope had just returned home from travelling and was looking for employment locally. With no assets, a graduate loan to pay off she looked at re-opening the shop - so she wrote a business plan and submitted it to her local bank manager.

With the nearest shop six miles away and the closest supermarket ten miles away, the village was very isolated without the services of a shop or post office which play a vital role as a focal point in village life.

Hopes of Longtown is a Awards for Excellence 2004 - Big Tick Winner, and won the Post Office Rural Action Award.

How they do it

Hopes are keen to support the local economy and sell a range of locally made or produced products from cakes to eggs, walking guides and handmade chocolates. They also stock Fair Trade tea, coffee, cocoa, sugar, mango chutney and snack bars and at Christmas have an arrangement with local suppliers to meet orders.

What impact it has

• Employment opportunities have been created in the shop
• Outlets for local producers and suppliers to offer their produce
• A vital community service has been re-opened as a commercial business

• Local businesses, including bed and breakfasts are promoted to tourists, in the shop and post office