Turvey Corner Store & PO, Bedfordshire

Congratulations to Duncan and Karen Bailey, whose business has recently been recognised for the outstanding service it contributes to the local community The competition involved asking their customers' views, and they were amazed that 450 favourable responses were received. This resulted in the runner-up prize for the Best Rural PO category in the England-South regional final.

As well as providing a Post Office, well-stocked general store, and cash machine Karen and Duncan provide a unique service for their community Due to concern amongst the community about the lack of Police presence in Turvey and the fact that shop had been targeted on several occasions, Duncan and Karen worked in partnership with the local Home-watch, Parish Council and Police to find a positive solution. They now share their office with the local Police Beat Manager who holds a Police surgery for the village every Wednesday between 4.00 and 6.00pm. This has increased the Police presence in the village and given people the chance to discuss their concerns in a familiar setting.

This shop is already well known to the Rural Shops Alliance. Having struggled for some time to secure a lottery terminal for the shop, Duncan approached the RSA last year for help in this matter. Happily the issue is now resolved and the shop has been on-line since mid. September.