[Welcome speech by BEFA Chair Sue Moore]
A very special event last Saturday at Bathford, where the village shop & café celebrated its 20th anniversary in style, bringing together residents, local leaders, volunteers, suppliers and friends for a joyful day of music, food and community spirit.
Founded in 2006 and run by community co-operative Bathford Enterprise For All Limited (BEFA), the village shop has become far more than simply a place to buy groceries.
Over the past two decades, it has served as a social hub, lifeline and meeting place for the village, surviving economic uncertainty, changing retail habits, the pandemic, rising costs and many other challenges faced by independent community businesses.
Despite these difficulties, Bathford Village Shop continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of volunteers, staff, customers and local supporters.
The anniversary celebration was attended by Councillor Shaun Stephenson-McGall, Chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council, alongside local councillors Kevin Guy and Sarah Warren. Guests enjoyed live performances from a local jazz band and the Bathford Choir, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the day.
Local wine producer Tennygrove Vineyard Wine tasting
The event was generously supported by many local suppliers and partners, including Warleigh Lodge Farm, Brickell’s Ice Cream, Tennygrove Vineyard, Bath Soft Cheese Company and Bathford Twinning Association, who prepared made-to-order crêpes for visitors.
One of the highlights of the day was a spectacular anniversary cake created by Maureen Breeze, the founding chair of the community co-operative. In a memorable moment, the cake was ceremonially cut using the antique naval sword belonging to current Chair Sue Moore, a retired Royal Navy Officer.
During the celebration, the Chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council also unveiled a memorial bench donated by the Suleman family in memory of the late Mr Iqbal Suleman, recognising his connection to the community and the village shop.
Many residents and visitors joined the celebration throughout the day, reflecting the strong community support that has sustained the shop over the last 20 years.
BEFA hopes the anniversary will not only celebrate the past, but also help raise awareness of the importance of supporting local community businesses for the future.
Cake cutting ceremony with Naval Sword (BEFA Chair-Sue Moore, BEFA Founding Chair-Maureen Breeze and Assistant Manager-Liz Tait)
“We are incredibly proud that, 20 years on, Bathford Village Shop is still here and still thriving,” said the Chair. “Community shops across the country face enormous pressures, but this celebration showed just how much this shop means to local people. Every customer who chooses to shop locally helps keep this community asset alive for future generations.”
Bathford Village Shop & Café is open seven days a week and welcomes visitors from Bathford and the surrounding areas.
