Shop shows a profit for community

Handcross Hardware and Crafts in Handcross, near Haywards Heath, was threatened with closure when its leaseholder decided to move away from the area.

Determined not to see the shop shut, a church group came to its rescue by taking on the lease, on a mission to use it to serve the community.

The shop is now on the verge of breaking even.

Members of the church group, from St Mary's, in nearby Slaugham, are planning to donate its profits to community projects in the area.

The shop is the brainchild of Les and Christina Hampstead, who are now managing it as a trust formed by St Mary's called Dudley House.

The building is owned by the National Trust, who obtained it when they acquired the Nyman's estate in 1954. The shop has always sold hardware items but Mr and Mrs Hampstead have extended it and now sell developing world crafts and locally-produced goods as well.

Among the items lining the shelves are jars of honey made in Hassocks and a tea set from Tanzania.

The couple also use the shop as a base to run services for villagers.

They co-ordinate the community bus scheme, which sees council buses run four days a week from the village to Horsham and Crawley and the Help At Hand project, where locals provide a car service for those without transport.

Mrs Hampstead, 48, said: "I feel so privileged to be able to work in a place like this where I am able to directly help the community.

"We will soon be in a position where we can offer financial help to projects in the community and to me, that's what it is all about."

Mr Hampstead, 46, said: "It has been a good feeling to watch the shop grow.

"More and more people are coming in to buy things but this is more than just a shop.

"It is a meeting place and somewhere people can pop in to if they just fancy a chat."

The trust is now applying for charity status. Any groups in the Handcross area who would like to find out more about its fund-raising should call Mr or Mrs Hampstead on 01444 400413.