A VILLAGE is filled with excitement as its beloved shop is gearing up to commemorate its first successful year of operation.

The heartwarming celebration, organised in collaboration with the local residents of Charter Alley near Tadley, reflects the success of the shop and the unwavering community spirit.

For almost 16 years, Charter Alley had been without the convenience of a village shop until Niranjan and Veronika Raj decided to open one.

August 13 last year marked the grand opening of their shop, and since then, their journey has been nothing short of remarkable.

READ MORE: Charter Alley near Tadley welcomes new village shop and café

The couple took a leap of faith, transforming the small shop into not just a retail haven but also a cherished gathering spot for villagers.

With open arms and warm smiles, Niranjan and Veronika welcomed the villagers, who reciprocated their affection in abundance.

The shop started with humble beginnings, housing a small cafe corner where patrons could enjoy freshly brewed coffee and delightful cakes.

As the shop garnered popularity and the village's heartwarming support, it expanded to accommodate more chairs, fulfilling the villagers' wishes.

The shop soon evolved into a central meeting point, offering a space for friends to connect, families to share stories, and for the simple joy of being part of a close-knit community.

Veronika said: “We love our villagers and they love us. So it’s been a great success for the shop. We expanded our cafe from the recommendations of our regular visitors. They love our cake and coffee. It’s great to see them having a good time sitting in our shop and chatting.”

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The couple also welcomed a new member to their family, becoming parents once again after relocating to the village from Old Basing.

Though a specific date is yet to be confirmed for the anniversary celebration, Niranjan and Veronika plan to organise it when the villagers return from their summer holidays.

"Most of our villagers are on holidays. So we are planning to do it end of August. It's a small village and we don't want to miss them," Veronika said.

The celebration is anticipated to include an array of activities with refreshments like cakes on the menu.