Friday 21st March 2025 - A Complete Shock

I think I can safely say, the news that Michael Maher is selling his shop has come as a complete shock to villagers.  The reason for the sale is, after fourteen years owning the village stores, Michael is retiring.  After I posted the news on Facebook what followed was a whole string of comments, wishing Michael a happy retirement and hopes that the shop will continue to trade, under new ownership.  Of course, it may be some time before the village says its final farewells to Michael, it all depends on when a sale goes through to completion.

When Michael took over the store, it was nothing like the asset it is today for villagers.  With John and Andy retiring as Postmasters, leaving an opening for a Post Office, much to everyone’s delight, Michael incorporated this into his store.  The Post Office is such an asset, proven by the invariable queue of customers patiently waiting their turn.  With the number of banks closing, we have used it not just for personal transactions but for paying-in the donations from the annual Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, as well as the traditional Post Office’s postal services.

Since Michael purchased the business, he has expanded the variety of goods for sale which now includes newspapers and magazines, greetings cards, pet and wild bird foods, sweets, alcohol, bread, cakes, a well-stocked freezer, batteries, cigarettes, stationery, fresh fruit and vegetables, simple first aid items, bags, socks, gloves, all our general day to day grocery needs, tourist souvenirs, beach items and, more than likely, a whole host more which I can’t immediately recall as I write this blog.  It’s just amazing the range of stock on offer.  With such a variety, I know there are those who do pretty well all their shopping at Michael’s.

Michael supports the village by providing raffle prizes and the Christmas tree which is erected on the sign garden and decorated by villagers.  The shop also provides a drop off point for medicines, saving those with a regular prescription a trip to Cromer pharmacy.  I don’t think any of us will forget how Michael provided for us villagers during the Covid lockdowns, turning away those from outside the village, who were trying to stock up with, amongst other things, toilet rolls!

Over the years, Judy has been his able assistant.  Others have come and gone but Judy is a stalwart of the business, as well as a fountain of knowledge about what is going on or has happened in the village or to individual villagers.

Just one final note, Michael told us his family had a grocery shop in Burnham (Bucks) but he decided to move away to a quieter part of the country and together with his wife, operate their own businesses.  The shop in Burnham, was a little further up the High Street, from my grandfather and great uncle’s shoe repairers and my great aunt was the grocery shop’s bookkeeper, when it traded under the name of Halls.  It’s true what they say, about it being a small world!