Worlingworth: village shop opens for community at Swan pub

Worlingworth Swan reopened after seven years, four months ago, with a village shop to be put in as part of the owners' original plan.

The shop, which is situated in the former games room, includes all essentials from de-icer and batteries to medicines and even baked bread and pastries, made on-site.

The official opening of the shop was made by the leader of Suffolk County Council, Matthew Hicks, with many residents eagerly waiting for the shop to open.

Delighted to officially open the Worlingworth Swan Convenience Store this morning and thanks to Tom & Emma for all your hard work in making this happen. Then headed next door to the pub/cafe for a warming hot chocolate and muffin! #shoplocal @WorlySuffolk @myLondis pic.twitter.com/rJtuR7KkDq

— Councillor Matthew Hicks (@HicksCllr) January 21, 2023

Owners of the Worlingworth Swan, Tom and Emma Royall, said they wanted to open a shop for the community.

Mr Royall said: "We just wanted to make sure that there was life and everything could still be bred into the village because it is so important.

"It has been so incredibly well supported.

Inside the recently opened village shop (Image: Tom Royall)

"We have had several people come in with elderly relatives who have come to the shop for the first time.

"It is great that the elderly community in the village now have a local that they can come and shop at rather than relying on family members to bring them food."

Along with the opening of the shop, Worlingworth Swan was recently given permission to extend the pub, which will happen in due course provided trading is good.

Tom and Emma took over the pub back in June, with a full refurbishment undertaken before the pub officially reopened its doors four months ago.

Tom and Emma Royall, the owners of Worlingworth Swan (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Mr Royall said: "The pub is going very well.

"We have lived in the village for three years, and since opening the pub, I have met so many people that I didn't know, and it is amazing how many connections you can make."

Along with the pub and the shop, Worlingworth Swan also has a cafe, where people can get baked pastries and cakes, and read the local newspaper.

The next step for Worlingworth Swan, is to look at creating an in-house menu.

They currently have food vans that regularly visit the pub and provide food for customers.

The shop is filled with essentials for the local community (Image: Tom Royall)

Fruit and veg, crisps, biscuits and batteries can all be bought at the shop (Image: Tom Royall)